The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has decided not to apologise to the Muslim community following an incident where police interrupted a group of men praying at a protest in Sydney against the visiting Israeli president, Isaac Herzog. The disruption occurred outside Sydney’s Town Hall, where tensions escalated as police dragged individuals away during the prayer. Muslim organizations, such as the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) and the Australian Federal Imams Council (AFIC), have demanded a public apology from both the premier and the NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon. Despite these calls, Minns has maintained his stance, stating that he does not feel an apology is warranted.

The police commissioner has expressed a limited apology, stating he regretted any offence caused but did not address the demand for a full apology from community leaders. Sheikh leading the prayer termed the police's actions as "unhinged and aggressive," highlighting the impact of such interventions on community relations. The response from the authorities has drawn criticism, as various Muslim groups assert that the police conduct reflects a broader pattern of disrespect toward Muslim citizens and their ability to express their faith publicly.

The incident raises significant questions about police conduct in relation to minority communities and their rights to protest and practice religion in public spaces. It underlines the ongoing challenges faced by the Muslim community in Australia, particularly in framing their religious expressions within the context of broader sociopolitical tensions surrounding Israel and Palestine. The refusal to apologise could further compound existing grievances and may foster a sense of alienation among the Muslim population in New South Wales, pointing to the need for greater dialogue and understanding between community leaders and authorities.