Jakarta –
Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese admitted he was ‘devastated’ by clashes at a Sydney demonstration opposing the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Even so, he said the police’s actions against the protesters were appropriate.
“This is really a scene that in my opinion should not have happened,” said Albanese as reported by AFP, Tuesday (10/2/2026).
“People should be able to express their views peacefully, but the police are very clear about the route required if people want to demonstrate,” he added.
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Herzog’s heavily guarded four-day visit was aimed at comforting Australia’s Jewish community following the December shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15 people at the Hanukkah festival.
But chaos erupted on Monday night in the heart of Australia’s largest city, as police tried to prevent protesters from entering areas designated as restricted areas.
Law enforcement sprayed pepper spray on protesters and members of the media, including AFP.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said police had been placed in a “very difficult situation”.
Not far from the rally site, he noted, Herzog had participated in a vigil for the victims of the Dec. 14 murders along with thousands of mourners. Minns said it would be a “disaster” if protesters were allowed to rally near the event.
New South Wales police said they arrested 27 people at the demonstration, including 10 people who attacked law enforcement officers, and have confirmed that they used pepper spray on the crowd.
Herzog’s visit is expected to last until Thursday. On Tuesday, he is expected to meet the families of victims of the Bondi attack — the deadliest attack on Jews since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Many Australian Jews welcomed Herzog’s visit.
“His visit will lift the spirits of the bereaved community,” said Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Australian Jewish Community Executive Council, the community’s peak body.
However, some in the community disagreed, with the progressive Australian Jewish Council saying he was not welcome because of his alleged role in the “ongoing destruction of Gaza”.
Watch DetikPagi Live:
Also watch the video: Italy heats up, residents reject Israel from competing in the 2026 World Cup
(eva/yld)
date:2026-02-10 01:02:00