During a protest in Sydney against Israeli President Isaac Herzog, New South Wales police violently interrupted a group of men kneeling in prayer, prompting criticism from a coalition of Muslim organizations. Sheikh Wesam Charkawi, who led the prayer, described the police response as 'unhinged' and 'aggressive', accusing them of unprovoked aggression towards peaceful worshippers. The incident has raised calls for the state premier to apologize and for the resignation of the NSW police commissioner, reflecting increasing tensions surrounding protests in Australia regarding international conflicts.

The protest, held in the forecourt of Sydney Town Hall, featured around a dozen men participating in prayer without blocking roads or engaging in actions typically restricted by recent NSW laws meant to prevent antisemitic violence. However, police officers swiftly intervened, forcibly removing individuals from the prayer circle, an action caught on video that has since sparked outrage among community leaders and the Muslim community at large. This reflects broader frustrations with police tactics in handling protest rights.

As the coalition of Muslim organizations demands accountability, this incident underscores the challenges of balancing protest rights with law enforcement in Australia, and may have implications for future demonstrations and the legal frameworks governing public protests. The escalation of tensions at such events raises questions about community policing and the treatment of minority groups in the context of political dissent.