Feb 19 • 05:34 UTC 🇦🇺 Australia Guardian Australia

Magistrate rules it’s ‘unreasonable’ to ban Isaac Herzog protester from inner Sydney while on bail

A court in Sydney has varied the bail conditions of protester Eyad Shadid, ruling it unreasonable to prohibit him from entering inner Sydney after his arrest during a demonstration against Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

A Palestinian Australian man, Eyad Shadid, who was charged during a protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia, has had his bail conditions modified by a magistrate in Sydney. The court ruled that it was 'not proportionate' to impose a ban preventing Shadid from entering inner Sydney while he awaited trial. This ruling comes in response to Shadid's legal counsel arguing that the restriction placed on him was unnecessary and disproportionate, particularly given the circumstances of his arrest.

During the demonstration, Shadid was charged with failing to follow police directions, as police dispersed the protest by New South Wales law enforcement. He was among twelve protesters who faced charges related to the incident, which included resisting or hindering an officer. The court proceedings highlighted the context of rising tensions and discussions around protests related to Israeli politics, especially in light of recent actions against Palestine, which have resonated with many within the Australian community.

Shadid's lawyer contended that there was significant doubt regarding the legality of the police's orders to disperse the crowd, pointing out potential overreach in their actions. This incident underscores a broader conversation about the rights of protesters in Australia, the responsibilities of law enforcement, and the implications of such restrictions on civil liberties amidst ongoing political conflicts.

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