This live blog has ended.

13/10/2023 4PM – NSW Premier Says “We Need To Learn From The Lessons From Monday Night” Opera House Crime

The NSW Premier has held a press conference, where he made some remarks about the Opera House crime at the pro-Arab protest on Monday & this is where we will end our live blog:

We need to learn from the lessons from Monday night (Opera House crime).

Given the experience that we all saw on Monday evening, clearly the New South Wales Police have to take steps to prevent violence, to prevent civic disorder, to prevent incitement of violence & racial vilification. Now, I think it is fair to know that whether that protest was hijacked or there was maleveront intent from the very beginning, it doesn’t matter. The organisers of that protest have proven to the NSW Police, the Government, the people of NSW that they can’t manage a peaceful protest.

We made it very clear during the week that there is no constitutional, legal or any other reason to stop a gathering in a NSW, uh, area or park or facility. Uh, there’s no provision in law to do that. There is provision in law to stop a march or assembly through NSW streets & I made that clear to the Jewish community & I made that clear to the people of NSW & the Police have made that clear in the last 24 hours. This is completely consistent with every public utterance that we have made in the last week & it goes consistent with the decision of the NSW Government to light up the Opera House with the Israeli flag in solidarity with the people of Israel and the Jewish community in NSW & the insistence by NSW Police that this protest would not be allowed to turn into a march through Sydney’s streets as a result of the scenes that we saw in Sydney on Monday night. Everything we have said has been completely consistent with that including the announcement by Police that further action may be warranted on Sunday to keep the public safe & to enforce the laws in NSW.

I mean, I want to make it clear that in other jurisdictions around Australia there has been peaceful protests but that’s not what we saw in Sydney on Monday night & given the experience that we all saw on public display of vilification, of incitement to violence and actual violence, this (court action) is the appropriate step for NSW Police & the NSW Government to take to ensure public order & keep the public safe as well as enforcing laws in this state in relation to vilification.

Well, look, I mean circumstances and context is extremely important & I think and I made this clear at the time that organising a protest within 24 hours of what was barbarism, as seen in Israel, was a poor choice & um, I given the circumstances and context, that’s an important part of the public debate.

It (Opera House crime) was not in line or in spirit with our multicultural community & I have a responsibility to ensure that the central tenets of our multicultural community are upheld & one of those central tenets is that there is no tolerance for incitement to violence & you are not allowed, not allowed in public at all to, uh, attempt racial vilification on our streets.

Chris Minns, NSW Premier

13/10/2023 11:30AM – Potential Police Court Action From Opera House Crime “Warning” To Offensive Sunday Pro-Arab Rally Attendees, NSW Police Say

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, New South Wales (NSW) Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon has said Operation Mealing is a “warning” for those planning to be offensive at a pro-Arab protest in Hyde Park, Sydney on Sunday because they will put people identified as being responsible for criminal offenses at the Opera House on Monday night before the court. He also said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, that Operation Mealing was under way to ensure NSW Police had a complete picture of community sentiment in NSW given the Israel-Hamas conflict.

We’re currently collating, working through that (Opera House CCTV) footage. Where we identify people that have been responsible for criminal offences, we will put those people before the court. 

It is a warning for anyone who intends to attend the (pro-Arab Hyde Park) protest on Sunday & commit an offence that we will take action.

Mal Lanyon, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner

13/10/2023 11:15AM – Victorian Senator Says Dutton’s Visa-Cancelling Comments “Absolutely Not” “Race-Based”

On Mornings With Rafael Epstein on Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio Melbourne, James Paterson, Senator For Victoria, said, Federal Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton’s comments that law-breaking anti-Jewish/Israel/Albanese/Police protesters’ – who were at the Sydney Opera House Southern Forecourt on Monday night – visas should be cancelled were “absolutely not” “race-based”:

I mean, people of all ethnicities & nationalities have had their visas cancelled by Peter Dutton because they failed the character test & the character test is an really important thing.

James Paterson, Senator For Victoria

12/10/2023 6:15PM – NSW Police Minister Allegedly Thought It Would Be “Easier” Not To Light Opera House To Protect Jewish People

On Tuesday, on Drive with Chris O’Keefe on 2GB radio, the New South Wales (NSW) Police Minister said:

Uh, I, I suggested – The Jewish Board Of Deputies, um, asked what they should advise their community to do & I advised them to speak to, uhhh, the uh – well I, I spoke actually to the, um, acting Commissioner & asked him to organise for the Commander, who, as we know, is Assistant Commissioner, uh, Cooke, which, I understand, that they did do that.

Well, I’ll certainly be speaking to them about, um, their vigil that they’re having, uh, later in the week just, you know, to ensure that we have, uh, security there for that as well – have the Police there – but look, you know, the Jewish Board Of Deputies & the Jewish community have a very strong relationship with the NSW Police & in fact, we had many conversations about that over the weekend & yesterday of the good work that, um, that the Jewish community, uh, told me of the gratitude of the Police so I know that they will work closely together, as they have done for a very long time, uh, & we would obviously encourage that.

Yasmin Cately, NSW Police Minister

According to Sharri Markson, of Sky News Australia, NSW Jewish Board Of Deputies President, David Ossip, in private communications with Yasmin Catley, NSW Police Minister, on Monday between 4pm & 6pm, “argued” about the advice for Jewish community not to attend the Opera House that night, which he “begged” to be reversed & “implored” her to stop the protests at the Opera House. However, he did warn her the protests would turn “vile & racist”. The Minister allegedly said there was nothing she could do & expressed:

Maybe it’ll just be easier if we just don’t light the opera house to protect you people.

Yasmin Catley, NSW Police Minister (allegedly)

According to Sharri Markson, NSW Jewish Board Of Deputies President, David Ossip said he felt strongly it was not appropriate to comment but he, once again, used the opportunity to thank the NSW Premier for his steadfast and principled leadership and support of the Jewish community & noted the decision to light up the Opera House was a prime example of this.

According to Sharri Markson, she contacted the NSW Police Minister for comment, who denied the claims, but had yet to receive a formal statement.

12/10/2023 5:15PM – Palestine Action Group Calls Dutton’s Visa-Cancelling Comments
“A Shocking Attack On Democratic Rights”

According to the Australian Associated Press, Palestine Action Group Sydney has called the Federal Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton’s comments to cancel visas & deport law-breaking anti-Jewish/Israel/Albanese/Police visa-holding protesters at the Sydney Opera House Southern Forecourt on Monday night as “a shocking attack on democratic rights” & that Australian Palestine Advocacy Network President, Nasser Mashni. said what happened on Monday was unacceptable but he defended the group’s right to protest.

People have a right to protest against the war crimes & apartheid policies of the Israeli state.

Palestine Action Group

The reality of people coming together to express concerns about situations is that, at times, unwanted people come along & provoke unnecessary and unwanted actions.

Violence is never going to be an answer, as antisemitism is never the answer.

Nasser Mashni,Australian Palestine Advocacy Network

12/10/2023 11am – Federal Opposition Leader Says Law-Breaking Anti-Jewish/Israel/Albanese/Police Opera House Southern Forecourt Protesters Visas Should Be Cancelled

Uh, if there were (law-breaking anti-Jewish/Albanese/Israel/Police) people there (Opera House Southern Forecourt) who were on visas, uh, they should be identified & they should be, have their visas cancelled. They should be deported. People with that hate, uh, in, in their minds & their hearts don’t, don’t have any place in our society. Uh, if, if they were non-citizens & the police should be doing this work now, uh, if they were non-citizens, uh, they should be, their, their visas should be before the Minister, uh, & on character grounds, uh, they, they should have their visas cancelled so but I don’t even know if that work is being done, uh, by the Albanese Government. I mean, this is, uh, the frustration and, and the inherent bias within some of the Ministers, uh, within the Labor Party that, uh, uhhh, I, you, you, you couldn’t be assured that, uh, that, you know, that that process, is, is, is, uh, being considered.

Peter Dutton, Federal Opposition Leader

11/10/2023 8:30pm – NSW Premier Apologies For Anti-Jewish Comments Shouted By Some Protesters At Opera House

At a NSW Jewish Community Gathering in Support of Israel at Rodney Reserve, Dover Heights, the NSW Premier said:

Some of you are hated & targeted, sight unseen, character untested, simply and only because you are Jewish & it is with eternal sorrow that I acknowledge that some of that hatred was seen in your own city & I’m deeply, deeply sorry for it.

Chris Minns, NSW Premier

11/10/2023 12:15pm – NSW Police Working With Jewish Community To Explain Actions On Monday

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, David Hudson, Acting NSW Police Commissioner, says NSW Police were working with the Jewish community to explain the actions police took on Monday and how they came about, that officers had “no power” on Monday to stop law-abiding people from walking to the Opera House along footpaths & that he can understand public criticism over the decision to allow the pro-Arab protest at the Sydney Opera House to go ahead on Monday:

However, that was a quick moving escalation in activities that the commanders on the ground dealt with as they saw fit at the time.

I can understand how certain members of the community would be disappointed in that response.

David Hudson, Acting NSW Police Commissioner

11/10/2023 12pm – NSW Premier Wants To Apologise To Jewish Community

I really want to make it clear to the Jewish community that I want to apologise, specifically, on behalf of the NSW Government & myself, as the Premier of NSW.

The intentions of the Government were very straight forward to light up the Opera House, to create a place and a space for that community to come together to commemorate the horrific scenes that we’ve seen in Israel over the past 48 hours & we didn’t do that.

Not only did we not create a space for the Jewish community to come together to reflect on these terrible events in the Middle East but the Opera House Forecourt was obviously overrun with people that were spewing racial, uh, epithets & hatred on the streets of Sydney. Now that’s not good enough.

I want to make it clear I’m not blaming anyone for this. I’m the Premier Of NSW. I take full responsibility for it & we will make decisions to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Chris Minns, NSW Premier

11/10/2023 11:45am – NSW Government To Prevent Next Pro-Arab March In Sydney

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Chris Minns, the New South Wales Premier, has announced that, given what happened on the Sydney Opera House Southern Forecourt on Monday night, authorities will take action against a pro-Palestinian protest march planned for Sunday, although permission for a gathering planned could still be granted.

The protest organisers have proven that they’re not peaceful. Shouting racial epithets at Jewish community members is not the definition of a peaceful protest so the idea that they are going to commandeer Sydney streets is not going to happen & I’m sure the NSW Police will make that clear this morning.

It’s really important to note that putting in a form to use Sydney streets requires the permission of police because of jaywalking & civil obstruction of the natural order of the city.

It requires coordination & this group has shown that they’re not a peaceful organisation.

Chris Minns, NSW Premier

It should be strongly pointed out the protest organisation group were peaceful & did not shout “racial epithets”. However, not all protesters were peaceful & did shout “racial epithets”.

Some organisers say it’s been hijacked – whatever – the results was hatred on the streets of Sydney & the police won’t allow them to commandeer our streets.

Chris Minns, NSW Premier

11/10/2023 10:30am – Palestine Advocacy Network President Says Australians With Palestinian Background Found Opera House Blue & White Illumination “Hurtful”

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Nasser Mashni, Palestine Advocacy Network President, said the move to project the Israeli colours on the Sydney Opera House was hurtful for Australians with a Palestinian background.

I’m Australian too, why don’t my children matter? When the Opera House is lit up in the Israeli flag (colours), there was an opportunity for Australia to have a moment of bringing together all peoples to say all children matter. Both the flags could have been there.

Nasser Mashni, Palestine Advocacy Network President

11/10/2023 10:15am – Zionist Federation Of Australia President Said Some Chanted Slogans “Unacceptable”

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Jeremy Leibler, Zionist Federation Of Australia said some of the slogans being chanted at the Sydney demonstration were unacceptable & the response from Australian political leaders so far had been heartening.

I’m terrified when I see these marches through the city that are not holding candles & calling for peace as we see from rallies in the Jewish community when things have flared up in the Middle East. What we’re seeing is violent protests.

I think we’ve had strong, very principled support – bipartisan support – both from the Prime Minister, from (Federal Opposition Leader) Peter Dutton & both at the state leadership levels as well so there should be as there was after 9/11.

Jeremy Leibler, Zionist Federation Of Australia President

10/10/2023 5:15pm – Australian PM Stands By Comments That Pro-Arab Protest Should Not Have Gone Ahead

On Monday afternoon before 5pm, Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister Of Australia, said the pro-Arab protest to start at Sydney Town Hall should not go ahead.

I stand by those comments I made yesterday afternoon. I think the footage that I have seen – I’ve only seen a small amount of footage but some of the commentary that was being made there is hurtful. It is antisemitic some of the slogans that I heard shouting & there’s no place for antisemitism in this country or, indeed, anywhere else. We need to fight racism wherever we see it, whether it’s antisemitism, islamophobia, some of the racially charged comments that have been made against Indigenous Australians during this referendum. It has no place & I find the fact that people thought it was appropriate to chant one of the slogans that I’ve heard – I won’t even repeat on air – to be completely reprehensible.

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia

10/10/2023 5pm – Decision To March To Opera House Made After Illumination Announcement

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Josh Lees from Palestine Action Group Sydney said he denounced the offensive chants heard at the Opera House:

Well, firstly, there were thousands and thousands of people came out, uh, from all different backgrounds to show our, uh, support for the basic freedoms of Palestinian people & to support, uh, their right to (sorry chuckle) defend themselves as well &, um, to oppose what is going on right now, which is a horrific wholesale bombing of the Gaza Strip, uh, and so it was very important for us to come out & protest.

Israel has been at war with the Palestinian people effectively for 75 years. Um, they’ve been at war with the people of Gaza for that entire time & there’s been an horrific siege on the Gaza Strip for the last 16 years, uh, which has been repeatedly bombed so we had a big protest, um, last night. Thousands of people came out including – It’s important to emphasise – including members of the Jewish community who are a part of our protest because there are many Jewish people, who, of course, support, um, the freedom of Palestinians & do not agree with the policies of the state of Israel so we held a very successful, um, peaceful protest that marched from Town Hall, um down to the Opera House.

Of course, we wanted to march to the Opera House because of the terrible & hypocritical stance taken by the Government to light it up with the Israeli flag (colours). Um, they haven’t in the last 75 years of oppression ever lit up the Opera House with the Palestinian flag, uh, so we marched down there. Um, it was a wonderful, peaceful protest. Um, as we say in our statement, right at the end, there was a separate event organised by others. There was a tiny group of people, um, who came & for a couple of minutes, did chant a despicable, um, antisemitic chant. We’ve made it very clear they don’t represent anything to do with our movement. Um, they’re not welcome. We- They were told to leave immediately. Um, ours has always been a anti-racist movement & we condemn all forms of racism including antisemitism.

I mean, I don’t know who they were. Um, what we can do is make it very clear as we have that this has nothing to do with the movement for a free Palestine, you know, & this, as I made it clear, we have a very long history, um, of standing together with all different communities against the state of Israel’s policies so that’s what we stand for.

As soon as we heard that the government planned to light up the Opera House with the Israeli flag, that is when a lot of people started suggesting we should march our protest down there so that’s what we did & we were in contact with the police all day. We spoke with them. They helped to manage that protest, to go down there peacefully. Um, there were no problems at all so we marched down here & that’s what we did.

Josh Lees. Palestine Action Group Sydney

It should be pointed out that the Sydney Opera House opened in 1973, 50 years ago.

10/10/2023 2:15pm – Palestine Action Group Sydney Says Anti-Semitic Chants “Very Distressing”

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Fahad Ali from Palestine Action Group Sydney said he approached people in the crowd who made antisemitic comments & told them to leave:

Our comrades, our friends, and our fellow people of all diverse backgrounds certainly can’t feel good about this, and we have an obligation to call out this behaviour when we see it.

Last night there was a contingent organised by a group called Jews Against Oppression & Palestinian Christians so when the minority of individuals decided to centre themselves at the expense of the broader protests that was very distressing.

We have consistently taken an anti-racist stand and Palestinian liberation is an anti-racist movement.

What is happening now is there has been a lot of media attention diverted from the suffering of people in Gaza.

Fahad Ali, Palestine Action Group Sydney

10/10/2023 2pm – NSW Attorney-General “Not Briefed” By Police Before 2GB Breakfast Interview

The events of last night at the Opera House were shocking and appalling.

On the comments I made this morning, I had not been briefed on the operations of police in relation to the Opera House protests, nor any discussions they may have had or advice they may have given. 

Micheal Daley, NSW Attorney-General

During an interview on 2GB’s The Ben Fordham Show earlier, Micheal Daley, NSW Attorney-General said: “I worked late last night so I’m not really across that (Opera House pro-Arab protest), no”.

10/10/2023 1:45pm – Police Minister Confirms She Did Not Ask Police To Stop Pro- Arab March

In NSW Parliament’s Legislative Assembly’s Question Time, the Minister for Police, Counter-Terrorism & the Hunter, Yasmin Catley, was asked:

Did she ask the Police Force to stop the mob moving from Town Hall to the Opera House?

Matt Cross, Member For The District Of Davidson

She responded “…as Minister I have zero role in operational policing decisions and, quite frankly, nor should I”.

10/10/2023 1:30pm – Police Minister Avoids Answering Whether She Will Apologise To The Jewish Community

In NSW Parliament’s Legislative Assembly’s Question Time, the Minister for Police, Counter-Terrorism & the Hunter, Yasmin Catley, was asked:

Will the Miniser apologise to the Jewish community for failing to stop a march & not letting the community hold a vigil at the Opera House last night?

Kellie Sloan, Member For The District Of Vaucluse

She avoided directly answering the question.

10/10/2023 1:15pm – CCTV Pro-Arab Protest Footage Obtained By Police

This is not a question about letting a protest go ahead. This is purely about dealing with the situation that police were confronted with in the best way to avoid conflict & ensure public safety. It is not about condoning, supporting or facilitating.

Operation Mealing was established to investigate the incident last night. CCTV footage has been obtained & police will examine closely any evidence of offences that were committed and they will take appropriate action. I suggest that anybody with information should report it to their local police or to Crimestoppers.

The police were managing the situation to maximise the safety of all concerned. Their priority yesterday was to control & to manage a large, volatile crowd and to prevent conflict, violence and breaches of the peace. I say it again: They were successful in doing that.

Yasmin Catley, NSW Minister For Police, Counter-Terrorism & The Hunter

10/10/2023 1pm – NSW Police Minister “Kept Abreast” Of Opera House Pro-Arab Protest

In NSW Parliament’s Legislative Assembly’s Question Time:

 I was kept abreast of the events as they unfolded last night.

The NSW Police Force has engaged with community groups as they monitor the situation here and overseas. I know that the Jewish community has an excellent relationship with the New South Wales police & that the police have been in constant contact with the community over the past few days.

The number 1 priority for our Police Force is to keep our community safe & I am pleased to say they did that last night. The police are not here to make political judgment calls about who should have the right to protest. They are here to keep our community safe at events like those last night & again I am pleased to say they did just that. Police have advised me that operational commanders last night judged that the best option for police was to control & manage the crowd movements through the CBD. Their main aim was to prevent the risk of conflict & violence.

The police did not approve a march. The process for approving protests, meetings or marches—known as form 1—generally takes about a week to complete. There was no form 1 for this event. There was just a spontaneous gathering of a large number of people. After the horrific events in Israel on the weekend, police were closely monitoring the situation & became aware through intelligence and through social media that large numbers could be expected to gather in the city. They needed to manage a highly volatile crowd & again I say last night they did that successfully.

Yasmin Catley, NSW Minister For Police, Counter-Terrorism & The Hunter

10/10/2023 12:45pm – Palestine Action Group Sydney Responds

On 9 October 2023, Palestine Action Group organised a successful rally in support of Palestine, calling for the end of the occupation & for Australia to cut ties to Israel. Thousands on thousands of diverse attendees marched to the Opera House & demonstrated our opposition to Australia’s support to the State of Israel, a genocidal apartheid regime which has waged war on Palestinians for over 75 years.

Today, we have woken up to the Premier of NSW, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Affairs Minister & Independent MP, Allegra Spender, condemning our protests & questioning why it went ahead. Let us affirm, we have the right to demonstrate. At a conjuncture where anti-protest laws widen to target anyone who opposes the colonial & capitalist structures of this state from First Nations movements to the Climate Justice movement, the states attack on Pro-Palestinian protestors is no different. Australia as a colonial and imperialist entity will always support Israel & the state is frightened by people in their masses showing that we oppose imperialism & colonialism. At a time where the people of Palestine resist over 75 years of war and massacres & Israel declares intent to commit genocide against the people of Gaza, we will demonstrate. We will continue to demonstrate & we will show this state that we oppose apartheid, we oppose settler-colonialism & we oppose genocide.

Despite a very successful & peaceful rally, the media has reported on a tiny fringe (we estimate less than 20 people) of vile antisemitic attendees who showed up to the Opera House for an event unrelated to the demonstration we organised. Media reports & videos circulating show young boys, mostly in their teens chanting “f*ck the Jews”. From our observations, this occurred for less than 1 minute & was not an ongoing chant. They were quickly condemned for their chants & asked to leave. Long-standing Palestinian organisers and activists & Palestinian, Arab and Muslim elders attending the protest were disgusted & deplored by the action. This is not what our movement stands for. We oppose Zionism, an ideology distinct from Judaism. We oppose Israel, a racist state which has waged genocide on Palestinians. We are an anti-racist and anti-colonial movement & we refuse to fight racism with racism.

PAG has a long-standing history of working with Jewish activists & organisers who oppose Zionism, from Tzedek to Jews against the occupation, we share anti-racist & anti-colonial values with our anti-Zionist Jewish siblings. We thank them for their ongoing solidarity, including the contingent who attended this very rally. We’ve checked in with as many of those Jewish people in the contingent as we know to ensure they are feeling safe & okay.

For over a decade, we have organised peaceful Palestinian rallies & we have mobilised the Australian community & we will continue to mobilise. If you are an antisemite, you are not welcome at our rallies & are not a part of our movement. As we did today, we will ask you to leave & we will continue to do this. We thank the 99.9% who have continued to show up for Palestine, who have continued to help keep our rallies peaceful & promote anti-racist and anti-colonial values.

We will be back on the streets at 1pm, Sunday 15 October 2023, at Town Hall to continue to protest both attacks on Palestinian resistance & Israel’s declaration of genocide on Palestinians. We will not bow to pressure from parliamentarians to end our mobilisations. We will demonstrate until Palestine is free, from the river to the sea!

Free Palestine & f*ck racism.

Palestine Action Group Sydney

10/10/2023 12:30pm – NSW Opposition Leader Says Hate Speech “Simply Unacceptable”

We have a responsibility to promote cohesion and we have a responsibility to respect different perspectives on international politics but none of us should pull punches when we call out hate speech. What we have seen in the past 48 hours, whether it is on the forecourt of the Opera House or the streets of our suburbs, is simply unacceptable. We have to call out that behaviour whenever we see it, whether it is antisemitism or any other sort of hate speech.

Mark Speakman, NSW Opposition Leader

10/10/2023 12:15pm – NSW Premier Confirms Illumination At Jewish Community Request

In the Legislative Assembly of the New South Wales Parliament:

Last night the Opera House was lit at the request of the Jewish community, specifically to show solidarity with the Jewish community here in New South Wales.

The scenes last night, where epithets were thrown at the Jewish community by protesters, were nothing short of horrific. That is the opposite of what we want in Australia and in New South Wales, a harmonious, dynamic and multicultural society.

I want the Jewish community in New South Wales to know that my Government & the vast majority of people in this State, stand with them today and are horrified by the scenes not just in the Middle East but also on the forecourt of the Opera House last night.

Chris Minns, New South Wales Premier

10/10/2023 12pm – Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Executive Director Says Pro-Arab Protest “Deeply Disturbing”

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Doctor Colin Rubenstein, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Executive Director, said people had a right to protest within limits but the pro-Arab protest went beyond those limits:

We happen to be a democratic multicultural Australian society embedded with certain key values of mutual respect and tolerance.

It’s deeply disturbing and disappointing that any Australian would celebrate the slaughters and the butchery that we saw over the weekend but the fact that they were allowed to march to the Sydney Opera House and that no Jews were allowed, I’m sure on security grounds, which the community respected, but nonetheless it’s a deeply disturbing state of affairs and I think the authorities and certainly the responsible ministers involved have a lot to answer for.

Doctor Colin Rubenstein, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Executive Director

10/10/2023 11:15am – Co-CEO of Australian Jewry Executive Council Says Pro-Arab Protest-Endorsing Leaders Should Be “Held To Account”

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Alex Ryvchin, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-Chief Executive Officer said the leaders who endorsed the gathering should be “held to account”, that the Palestinian movement “is about … violence and hatred. It doesn’t seek to build peace, it seeks only to destroy…” & he accepts police were doing what they thought was necessary to protect people:

The Palestinian movement has been revealed for all to see. This isn’t about a territorial dispute. There is no place for this incitement and blood lust in our society.

I bear no grievances towards them (the Police) but I think it’s a lamentable state of affairs when you have members of the Jewish community in the city unable to go to our CBD unable to gather and rally to observe an act of solidarity such as this.

Alex Ryvchin, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-Chief Executive Officer

10/10/2013 11am – City Of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, Says Peace Dove Projection “Would Have Been Much More Appropriate”

I do not think it should be one (Israeli colours illumination) or the other (Palestinian colours illumination)

I think that (peace dove projection) would have been much more appropriate.

City Of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore

10/10/2023 10:45am – Federal NDIS & Government Services Minister Says Anti-Semitism Protest Chants “Un-Australian”

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Bill Shorten, Federal Government Services & National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister, said some of last night’s chants were “un-Australian”:

The truth of the matter is that some of the anti-Israel rhetoric has always been a mask for antisemitism.

It is un-Australian to attack someone because of what god they worship & this is what it is.

Bill Shorten, Federal Government Services & National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister

10/10/2023 10:30am – Federal Opposition Leader Describes Protests As “Despicable”

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Federal Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton, said while people could express their view, even if others disagreed with it, the conduct last night was “despicable”, “unimaginable in modern Australia” with “no excuse”. 

This was an act of terrorism and treachery & it should be properly condemned, uh, by every decent human being & I think some of the behaviour that we saw at the Opera House last night does not belong in our country & people can protest peacefully – That is a right – People can express their view even if we disagree with it, in our country, um, but some of the conduct last night , uh, was appalling & frankly there should have been a lot more done to deter that gathering from taking place in the first instance.

The Prime Minister should have been in contact with community leaders to stop this protest from taking place.

It’s a reminder of the fact that we need to continue our strong support for the people of Israel & the Jewish community here in Australia at what is a very dark hour.

If there was a terrorist attack in our country today, a couple of hundred people were taken hostage, hundreds of people were shot dead after a music festival, as Australians we wouldn’t want to see protesters gathering in New Zealand or another part of the world, cheering & chanting that that was a great thing.

Peter Dutton, Federal Opposition Leader

10/10/2023 10:15am – Metropolitan Assistant Police Commander Did Not Personally Speak With Palestinian Community

At a media conference, Tony Cooke, NSW Police Metropolitan Region Assistant Commander, confirmed he did not personally speak with the Palestinian community.

10/10/2023 10am – Police Approval For Pro-Arab Protest “Not A Question”

This is not a question about letting a protest go ahead. This is about us responding to what the concerns were & in the circumstances that presented us. In my view, very clearly, my best option was to control & manage the situation the best that we could do. In the end, uh, the risks of conflict were avoided & that did not occur. This is not about us condoning, supporting, facilitating any protest. This is about us (journalist ask question) – Can I just finish? Thank you – This is about us, uh, providing for the public’s safety.

We are continuing to work with all communities so people need to be reassured that police will provide a safe environment for everyone. This is New South Wales. We understand that this is a highly emotive issue, but we understand that people also should respect the fact that we are a very much a multicultural, multifaith community & that we need people to respect each other’s rights and observations & that we would continue to ask for people and the community at a large to do that.

I’m not – I did not have any conversations with the Minister in relation to the operational… (tactical decisions)

I spoke very clear, I spoke with members of the Jewish communities right throughout the day yesterday & as I said earlier, indicated to them that people attending these positions can put them at significant risk. They made a decision not to attend, which I’m supportive of in which that it shows good sense in the circumstances & we will certainty continue to support that community, if, in their own observances.

Tony Cooke, NSW Police Assistant Commander, Metropolitan Region

10/10/2023 9:45am – Police Operation ‘Mealing’ Launched

Very clearly, you can see from the footage that people were very agitated. I’m very disa-ppointed, uh, in, in, in, strongest possible terms that people saw fit to utilize flares & what not. However, I can tell you that that entire rally & protest was covered by CCTV footage. Operation ‘Mealing’ has been established to investigate the issues that occurred down there last night &, uh, we will certainly be attempting to identify people who committed offences & we will take the appropriate action to put them before the Courts where it is possible. If anybody has any information, we would be more than happy to receive that & people can do that directly to their local police or by contacting Crimestoppers.

Tony Cooke, NSW Police Assistant Commander, Metropolitan Region

10/10/2023 9:30am – NSW Police Became Aware Of Pro-Arab Protest March To Opera House On Monday Afternoon

During the day on Sunday, uh, past, Police became aware of the intent of a group of people to rally at the Sydney Town Hall, uh, that was by social media. Uh, a range of inquiries were conducted to attempt to identify & speak with those people prior to the rally taking place. We were able to, uh, find a person, uh, into the afternoon, yesterday afternoon. At that point, it became, uh, clear to us or, made-da-made, uh, clear to us that people intended to, uh, move from the Sydney Town Hall to the Opera House.

Uh, considering we’re very, very clear that this is a very strongly emotive issue. Um, in the circumstances, um, it was considered the, uh, best, ah, option for Police was to manage the movement of those people from, um. Sydney Town Hall to the Opera House to ensure that we were able to control the movement of the people & get them to a place where we could manage the rally in its form and to prevent, uh, the risk of conflict to prevent the risk offences, disturbances to the public aren’t throughout the city as it occurred. That did occur – the rally, as we well know, took place on, ah, the Forecourt, there, of the Opera House.

Police continue to negag-negotiate but not to negotiate, I’m sorry – to work with community right throughout the day. It was made very clear to people that, uh, people attending would and could expose themselves to risks & they made the decision not to attend and I’m very pleased they did so as that shows good common sense in the circumstances. I mean, we will continue to work with those communities to ensure they feel free & safe.

Uh, this is very clearly an emotive issue across community. We continue to work across all communities, absolutely. This is New South Wales. We do not expect people to bring conflict from other places to the streets of Sydney & the violence will not be tolerated and we were able to manage that to assure that there was no conflict last night. We are continuing to work across all community & all community can be assured that we will continue to do so so that they are free to go about their business without fear and that we will provide them support across all community.

My, my job is to deal with what I’ve got in front of me & we did just, and we did just that.

Tony Cooke, NSW Police Assistant Commander, Metropolitan Region

10/10/2023 9:15am – NSW Premier Says Government Discussions Taking Place With Jewish Community

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the NSW Premier defended the police’s event handling, saying it was an operational decision for the “safety & security” of Sydney:

I know that-that discussions are taking place this morning between the Government, police & the New South Wales Jewish community to ensure that those of Jewish heritage can enjoy their city, where they were born, where they’re raising their family, uh, where they’re a member of the community. We cannot have a situation where, um, members of the Jewish community feel like they can’t & are being told not to participate in their city. We lit up the Opera House specifically to show solidarity with the Jewish community & it’s a great shame that they weren’t able to, uh, commemorate solemnly with their community last night.

It’s to celebrate what’s happened in the Middle East in the last 48 hours is abhorrent. I can’t understand why the protest went ahead in any event & obviously, people feel, uh, ah, an enor-most Australians feel an enormous sense of solidarity with Israel today.

The position of the NSW Government is unambiguously clear: We lit up the Opera House in solidarity with the people of Israel & the Jewish community in NSW because we were as horrified as the rest of the community at the indiscriminate slaughter that took place in Israel.

We’ve got a large Jewish community in New South Wales. Many of them have long standing family and friend connections with Israel & I want them to know that the NSW Government and the vast majority of people in this state stand with them today and are horrified by the sc-scenes, not just in the Middle East but on the Forecourt of the Opera House last night.

To have the Opera House not lit up would have sent, in an ironic way, the reverse message, that we weren’t standing in solidarity with these horrific crimes when we were & I don’t want, and I don’t think it’s appropriate for the Jewish community in New South Wales to believe that there’s anything other than complete, uh, revulsion at, uh, those murders.

NSW Premier, Chris Minns

It should be noted the Jewish community makes up 0.5% of the New South Wales population.

10/10/2023 9am – Ambassador Of Israel To Australia Responds

To see these landmarks all over Australia illuminated in blue & white tells every Israeli that Australia cares. Thank you.

Amir Maimon, Ambassador Of Israel To Australia

10/10/2023 8am – Former Australian Ambassador Of Australia To Israel Calls Opera House Protest “Shocking”

It should be noted the NSW Police decision was made in conjunction with Community Safety Group, a Jewish community safety organisation.

I thought they were shocking and despicable & I thought the fact that members of the Jewish community were not able to come to the Opera House last night, uh, to see the Opera House sails lit up in the colours of the Israeli flag, they were specifically told by police to stay away, indicates a, a chronic f-failure or breakdown in New South Wales Police or within the NSW Police Minister’s office. This protest, this march should not have been allowed to go ahead last night & certainly not on the route that it had planned. Uh, they should have found another location or another evening for that to happen. It was just incredibly insensitive & I think some of the chants and slogans that the crowd were shouting last night were, uh, amount to racial incitement. I mean, they were despicable.

I mean, the material I saw promoting the rally made clear that it was not about commemorating the Israeli & civilian victims of Hamas terrorist attacks over the weekend. In fact, it was about siding with Hamas, celebrating what Hamas had done. I, I mean this would be like if we saw people come out on the streets in Sydney celebrating Al-Qaeda days after the September 11 attacks or people come out on the streets of Sydney and celebrate Jemaah Islamiyah days after the Bali bombing terrorists, which killed 88 Australians. I mean, this is just abhorrent & you know, I, I’m, I’m shocked but I’m also deeply disillusioned that people think this is something that should be coming out & be celebrated: the abduction of civilians, the defilement of bodies, the, uh, the wanton killing of people sheltering in their homes. This should never be celebrated.

Well, I mean, lo-look-look, I-I, think, yes, people have the right to political expression & the peaceful statement of their views & but I think last night, which was the night that the Opera House was being lit up with the colours of the Israeli flag, like is happening around the world, uh, the Jewish community should have been able to attend that event & show their solidarity with the victims of this terrorist attack without being told by police to stay away, without having to fear for their own personal safety & security. Uh, uh, I’m sure this other rally, which is seemingly celebrating those things, um, could have been scheduled at another date or in another venue.

Well I think, I mean, I-I find this astonishing that Chris Minns, the NSW Premier, uh, says we are lighting up the flags of the Opera House, lighting up the sails of the Opera House rather than in solidarity with the victims of this terrorist attack & then you have the NSW Police Minister or the NSW Police, um, green-lighting a protest which makes that event completely neutrally. I mean, someone has a crossed wire here.

Dave Sharma, former Australian Ambassador to Israel.

It should be noted the NSW Police decision was made in conjunction with Community Safety Group, a Jewish community safety organisation.

10/10/2023 7:45am – Federal Member For Wentworth Asks For “Abhorrent” Protest Explanation

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Federal Member For Wentworth, Allegra Spender, has described the Sydney Opera House pro-Arab protest last night as “abhorrent” and asks for an explanation as to how the protest happened.

09/10/2023 11pm – NSW Premier Chris Minns Condemns Protest

According to The Daily Telegraph, New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns condemned the “horrible scenes” at the Sydney Opera House.

He said the protestors “do not represent the people of NSW” and, according to the Daily Mail, said “This sort of behaviour incites violence and creates division”.

09/10/2023 10:15pm – Nationals Queensland Senator, Matt Canavan Says NSW Police Decision Needs Review

It should be noted the NSW Police decision was made in conjunction with Community Safety Group, a Jewish community safety organisation.

Look, it can’t – we’re a free country and there’s always going to be idiots in a free country & this is absolutely outrageous behaviour, uh, but surely more could have been done here to separate groups. It’s sometimes are done at these kinds of events &, & look, the other thing I’d like to see here tomorrow is we have to see the leadership of, uh, Australia’s Muslim communities condemn this behaviour. As I say, there’s always going to be bad elements within any group but the problem I have here quite often is some of the leaders of our Muslim communities are, are of, sometimes seen to be silent or sometimes some Imam encourage this kind of conduct & it must be condemned. It has to be condemned across all groups in our society that people that are grieving the loss of their loved ones here should be able to do so in peace & quiet without these morons interrupting at these difficult times for the, for the Jewish communities of Australia.

Matta Canavan, Nationals Queensland Senator

09/10/2023 10pm – Pro-Arab Protesters Call On NSW Government To Light Up Sydney Opera House In Colours Of Palestinian Flag Tomorrow

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, at least 2 protesters including father & daughter, Maram Abu-Samen & Saud Abu-Samen, have called on the NSW Government to light up the Sydney Opera House in the colours of the Palestinian flag tomorrow.

The flag is red, green, white & black.

It should be equal. Palestinians and Israelis live in this country & we deserve the same opportunity.

Saud Abu-Samen

The below two people found the blue & white illumination divisive according to the Sydney Morning Herald:

It’s politics. It’s a major thing happening in the world but it’s sad that only 1 side of the story gets told.

Yunesh Padayatchi

Speaking about the pro-Israeli blue & white illumination:

I think it’s quite horrible. It’s narrow-minded & disappointed.

Siri Veseth

09/10/2023 9:15pm – The 4000 Pro-Arab Protesters Disperse From Sydney Opera House Southern Forecourt

Now that the Sydney Opera House illumination has ended, the pro-Arab protesters, which numbered 4000, have dispersed from the Southern Forecourt of the Sydney Opera House and are heading towards the public transport interchange at the northern end of Circular Quay. The human barricade of NSW Police officers followed with some pushing protestors in an effort to move them on according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Although coarse language was used & a flare was thrown at police, the protest was deemed “generally well behaved” by NSW Police, who said protesters complied with directions according to Firstpost.

09/10/2023 8:45pm – The Sydney Opera House Illumination Abruptly Ends

Less than 20 minutes after Israel announced a total blockade on the Gaza Strip, the Sydney Opera House has gone dark. Normally, illuminations run to 11pm or as late as 1am but this one barely made 90 minutes. The controversial Everest Barrier Draw projection show in 2018, for comparison, was always intended to be a 10-minute show with follow-up illuminations lasting until the end of an associated function on the other side of Circular Quay.

Israeli supporters largely stayed away from the Sydney Opera House during the illumination according to The Daily Mail.

09/10/2023 8:30pm – 100 Police Block Access To Sydney Opera House Podium After Illumination Disruption Attempt

New South Wales Police have formed a human barricade at the bottom of the Monumental Steps to block access to the Podium of the Sydney Opera House. This follows what seemed to be an attempt to block the illumination through extra white light by pro-Arab protesters. However, the protestors only managed to luminate more of the white illumination rather than less of the blue illumination.

According to The Daily Mail, Arabic-language cries of ‘God is the greatest’ rang out as some members of the crowd swarmed towards the police human barricade with some brandishing pieces of the torn Israeli flag while some were heard chanting, at points, “f*** Albanese”.

The Prime Minister Of Australia, Anthony Albanese, had no role in the decision to light up the Sydney Opera House blue & white.

09/10/2023 7:45pm – Illegal Pyrotechnics Lit & Flare Thrown At Police

Flares have been spotted being lit in the Southern Forecourt of the Sydney Opera House as New South Wales Water Police boats gather around the World Heritage site. Illegal fireworks were also lit according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation & according to the Sydney Morning Herald, 1 flare was thrown at NSW Police. No one was injured from the flare. An Iraqi flag featured in the crowd around a flare on the ground while an Israeli flag burnt & according to The Daily Mail, stamped on & torn to shreds. No one was arrested over the setting off of flares. According to The Daily Telegraph, some protestors shouted “f*ck Israel!”.

Muslim mob appears to be attacking Sydney Opera House with flares after pro-terrorist rally. pic.twitter.com/Bh7EXoO1Dv

— Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) October 9, 2023

09/10/2023 7:30pm – The Pro-Israeli Sydney Opera House Blue & White Illumination Begins As Pro-Arab Protesters Arrive

The Sydney Opera House is now illuminated blue & white in support of Israel after the Arab-Israeli Conflict escalated 2 days ago when Palestinian militant groups from the Gaza Strip broke through the Gaza-Israel barrier in a major surprise attack on Israel.

The illumination is expected to last at least until 3.5-5.5 hours.

Some pro-Israeli supporters watched the illumination from the western side of Circular Quay,

09/10/2023 7:15pm – Pro-Arab Protest March Arrives At Sydney Opera House

Pro-Arab protesters arrived, some with Palestinian, Lebanese for Australian Aboriginal flags. Some wearing masks were also seen & some were shouting slogans such as “f*ck the Jews”, “free Palestine” & “shame Israel” according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as well as “gas the Jews”.

It should be noted Jewish does not completely equate to Israeli, though Jewish people make up 73% of the Israeli population.

09/10/2023 7pm – Prayer Session & Candle Messages At The Sydney Opera House Southern Forecourt

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a prayer session was held at the Sydney Opera House Southern Forecourt at sunset & a group of women, in the growing darkness, lit a message with candles spelling ‘FREE PALESTINE’.

09/10/2023 6:45pm – Autonomous Collective Against Racism Describes Planned Opera House Illumination As “Slap To The Face”

Speaking to City Hub, a spokesperson for the Autonomous Collective Against Racism confirmed the collective’s presence “we will be there (at the march & upcoming protest at the Sydney Opera House), in massive numbers & with flags flying”.

Displaying the Israeli flag colours is not only a slap to the face of every Palestinian across the world, it’s evidence of the power of the Zionist lobby in this country and the chokehold it has on the Labor party.

Autonomous Collective Against Racism Spokesperson

09/10/2023 6:30pm – Pro-Arab March Begins At Sydney Town Hall/NSW Police & Community Safety Group Urge Jewish Community To Avoid Opera House Tonight

A 30-minute march, organised by Palestine Action Group Sydney, of at least 4000 pro-Arab supporters begun at Sydney Town Hall, via Pitt Street Mall & concludes at the Sydney Opera House in time for the pro-Israeli Sydney Opera House illumination at 7:30pm. A group called Jews Against Oppression & Palestinian Christians participated in the March.

New South Wales Police have confirmed they will have a “presence” & will “work with protesters to ensure there is no breaches of the peace & there is minimal impact to the community”. They encourage Jewish people to avoid the 7:30pm blue & white illumination of the Sydney Opera House because, according to the Australian Jewish Association President, David Adler, the NSW Police believe the Jewish community “…would be at risk if we were identified as Jewish in Sydney.”

The NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly; however, the first priority for NSW Police is always the safety of the wider community

NSW Police

NSW Police and CSG are urging the community not to attend the Sydney Opera House precinct

The events tonight may pose a risk to the safety of community members.

NSW Police & Community Safety Group E-mail

Palestine Action Group Sydney called for protesters to respect the police.

To rapturous cheers & applause at Sydney Town Hall, one of the rally’s speakers said it was a “disgrace that the Sydney Opera House is going to be lit up in the colours of the Israeli flag” according to The Daily Mail.

09/10/2023 5:45pm – Greens Newtown MP Describes Planned Opera House Illumination As “Appalling”

In response to the statement issued by the Arab Council Of Australia a few hours prior, Greens Member Of Legislative Assembly For The District Of Newtown, Jenny Leong, has described the planned Sydney Opera House blue & white illumination in support of Israel as “appalling”.

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09/10/2023 2:17pm – Arab Council Of Australia Issues Statement

Following yesterday’s announcement from the NSW Government that the Sydney Opera House will be lit up in blue & white in support of Israeli after an escalation in the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Arab Council Of Australia issued a statement:

This rush to declare support for Israel is a blatant disregard of Palestinian and Arab lives, and of the Arab community here in NSW. It is also a total obfuscation of the reality on the ground and the relentless atrocities that Israel rains daily upon defenceless civilians.

This decision is offensive on many levels and has made a tragic situation that much worse. At the exact time that Israel’s colours will be emblazoned upon a Sydney icon, innocent Palestinian civilians will be under heavy and deadly bombardment by Israel. You have effectively trampled on our humanity and told the Arab Australian community in NSW that we do not matter.

Innocents on both sides are being killed in this conflict and the militarised, settler-colonial occupation that Israel maintains traps both people. If the government feels the need to light up the Opera House for the world to see, then the symbol of peace would be the only sensible call to ensure equality, unity and cohesion across this multicultural state rather than declaring support for one side or another.

We urge you to exercise positive leadership for all your constituents and reconsider your decision.

Randa Kattan, Arab Council Of Australia Chief Executive Officer