Sydney tightens security for Israeli president’s controversial visit

igh-security cordon will lead to significant road closures and traffic disruptions across the city's Central Business District. New South Wales Police have deployed additional officers, with acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan stating, "You will see motorcades. Obviously, with the tensions associated with this visit, you will see additional numbers." The government has urged planned protests to relocate to designated areas like Hyde Park.

Legal challenge over protest restrictions

The Palestine Action Group is mounting a Supreme Court challenge against restrictions placed on a planned rally at Sydney's Town Hall. Group spokesperson Josh Lees condemned what he called "absolutely extraordinary and draconian powers to basically shut down our entire city." He asserted the public's right to demonstrate, stating, "These streets of Sydney belong to the people of Sydney. They do not belong to the Israeli president or Premier Chris Minns." Protests are coordinated in 24 cities across Australia, including Canberra, Melbourne, and Perth.

Context of the visit and rising tensions

President Herzog's trip, at the invitation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is partly a condolence visit to meet victims' families of the December Bondi Beach attack. However, it occurs against a backdrop of severe international criticism of Israel's war in Gaza, which reportedly killed tens of thousands and destroyed most of the territory's infrastructure. Despite a ceasefire, Palestinian health officials report hundreds of subsequent fatalities from ongoing violations, fueling public outrage and the planned demonstrations.

Broader diplomatic implications

The significant security measures and public backlash highlight the deep domestic and international divisions over the Gaza conflict. For nations like Türkiye, a vocal advocate for Palestinian statehood and a critic of Israeli military campaigns, such visits underscore the global polarization on the issue. The events in Australia reflect a wider pattern where foreign dignitaries associated with the conflict face protests, testing host countries' balance between diplomatic protocol and public sentiment.