A large protest in Sydney on February 9, 2026, has led to a sharp disagreement between state leaders and the public. About 6,000 people gathered at Town Hall to protest the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. During the event, police used pepper spray and physical force to manage the crowd. Video recordings show officers punching some of the people at the rally.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has spoken out in support of the police. He stated that the officers were in an "impossible situation." However, many people are unhappy with how the police acted. At the same time, the Premier criticized Pauline Hanson for her comments about police interrupting Muslim prayers during the protest. He described her words as a "racist intervention." This event has raised serious questions about how police handle large crowds and how politicians talk about different groups in the community.
Timeline of Events and Key Figures
The situation began when a large crowd gathered for the four-day visit of the Israeli President. The following timeline shows how the events happened:
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February 9, 2026: Thousands of protesters meet at Sydney Town Hall. Clashes begin between the crowd and the NSW Police.
February 9 (Evening): Reports and videos emerge showing police using pepper spray and punching a man in a white shirt.
February 10, 2026: Premier Chris Minns tells the media he supports the police.
February 10 (Afternoon): Police confirm that 27 people were arrested. Ten of these people are accused of hitting police officers.
Key Actors:
Chris Minns: The Premier of New South Wales who defended the police.
NSW Police: The group responsible for managing the protest.
Pauline Hanson: Leader of the One Nation party, criticized for her comments on the event.
Isaac Herzog: The President of Israel, whose visit caused the protest.
Reported Evidence and Data
The following information comes from police reports and video evidence gathered during the protest:
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| Category | Details Provided |
|---|---|
| Crowd Size | Approximately 6,000 protesters. |
| Arrests | 27 people arrested in total. |
| Charges | 9 to 10 people charged with allegedly hitting officers. |
| Police Tools | Use of pepper spray and physical strikes. |
| Video Evidence | Footage shows officers punching a man in a white shirt. |
The core of the issue is the balance between police maintaining order and the physical safety of protesters.
Analysis of Police Conduct
There are two main ways to look at how the police acted during the protest at Town Hall.
The View of the Police and Government:
Police officials stated that the protesters tried to push through the lines held by officers. Premier Chris Minns argued that when thousands of people are in a small space and trying to break rules, the police have a very hard job. He believes the officers acted to keep the city safe.
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The View of the Protesters and Witnesses:
People who were there, and those who saw the videos, say the police used too much power. They point to the footage of an officer punching a man multiple times as proof that the police went too far. Critics argue that even if a crowd is large, physical violence from officers is not the right answer.
Was the physical force used by the police a necessary response to the crowd's movement, or did it go beyond what is allowed by law?
Political Statements and Accusations
The disagreement between Premier Chris Minns and Pauline Hanson adds another layer to this event.
"Premier Chris Minns has accused Pauline Hanson of a ‘racist intervention’ and backed police who disrupted Muslim prayers at the protest."
This conflict started after reports that police interrupted people who were praying during the protest. Pauline Hanson made comments regarding this specific moment. The Premier responded by saying her words were racist and did not help the situation. This is not the first time Pauline Hanson has been in a public fight about race. In November 2025, she held a rally against immigration in Melbourne where police also had to make arrests.
Comparison of Past and Present Context
To understand the current tension, it is helpful to look at other recent events involving these figures:
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November 2025: Pauline Hanson spoke at a rally in Melbourne. One man was arrested for carrying a weapon (knuckle dusters).
November 2025 (Court Case): A court looked at tweets made by Pauline Hanson. While her lawyer said the words were "not fit for tea" but not racist, a judge had previously found her actions were racist.
February 2026: The current protest shows that feelings about international politics and local immigration are still causing large gatherings and conflict.
Expert Analysis
Experts in law and social behavior have looked at these events to see what they mean for the future of protesting in Australia.
Justice Angus Stewart has previously commented on political speech, noting that context is important when deciding if someone’s words are harmful. In the current case, the Premier’s use of the term "racist intervention" suggests that the government is taking a firm stand against comments that might divide the public.
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Legal Perspective: Lawyers often look at whether police force was "proportionate." This means the police should only use as much power as is needed to stop a threat. If the man being punched in the video was not a threat, the police might be in legal trouble.
Summary of Findings
The protest on February 9, 2026, resulted in 27 arrests and multiple reports of physical injury. The evidence shows a clear split in how the event is seen:
The Government sees the police as workers doing a hard job under pressure.
The Protesters see the police as using unnecessary violence.
The Premier has linked the event to a larger fight against racism by calling out Pauline Hanson.
The next steps will likely involve a careful look at the police body camera videos and the court cases for the 27 people arrested. These findings will help decide if the police rules need to change.
Sources and Context
The Guardian (Feb 9, 2026): Details on the video of police punching protesters and Chris Minns' defense.
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Pedestrian TV (Feb 10, 2026): Information on the 27 arrests and the criticism of police force.
The Age (Nov 30, 2025): Context on Pauline Hanson’s previous anti-immigration rallies.
9 News (Nov 17, 2025): Background on legal findings regarding Pauline Hanson's past comments.
