Demonstrations against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia have led to significant public unrest and police intervention in Sydney and Melbourne. Reports indicate that police utilized pepper spray against protesters in both cities during attempts to march and as crowds gathered. The events underscore a deep division of opinion regarding the presidential visit, manifesting in large-scale public gatherings and direct confrontations.
In Sydney, protests escalated as hundreds of demonstrators attempted to march, a move reportedly made in defiance of state law. New South Wales (NSW) police deployed pepper spray to manage the crowd. Simultaneously, thousands gathered in Melbourne, also protesting President Herzog's four-day visit, which commenced on Monday. Here, police also appeared to use pepper spray, with at least one instance documented. Official comments from NSW police have been sought regarding the events.
Read More: Protests in Melbourne During Israeli President's Visit
Timeline of Events and Key Actors
Monday: Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s four-day visit to Australia began.
Recent Days (Sydney): Protesters gathered to oppose President Herzog’s visit.
Recent Days (Sydney): Demonstrators attempted to march, reportedly defying state laws.
Recent Days (Sydney): NSW police used pepper spray on protesters.
Recent Days (Melbourne): Thousands rallied against President Herzog’s visit.
Recent Days (Melbourne): Clashes occurred between police and protesters, with apparent use of pepper spray by Victoria police.
Key Actors:
Israeli President Isaac Herzog: The focus of the presidential visit and subsequent protests.
New South Wales (NSW) Police: Responsible for managing protests in Sydney.
Victoria Police: Involved in managing protests in Melbourne.
Protesters: Groups demonstrating against President Herzog's visit.
Evidence of Police Action and Protest Activity
Direct evidence points to the use of pepper spray by law enforcement in both Sydney and Melbourne. Reports from The Guardian and 7NEWS indicate NSW police deployed pepper spray at a Sydney rally where protesters attempted to march. Victoria police are also noted to have used pepper spray during Melbourne demonstrations.
Read More: Many Protests Happen in Australian Cities
Sydney: "New South Wales police have pepper sprayed protesters at a Sydney rally opposing Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visit, where hundreds of demonstrators attempted to march in defiance of a state law." (The Guardian)
Melbourne: "Victoria police appeared to use pepper spray on at least one protester." (The Guardian)
Melbourne/Sydney: Reports of "clashes with police" and "ugly scenes" during protests against the Israeli president's visit. (7NEWS)
General Observation: "Police have been using pepper spray on demonstrators." (inkl.com, referencing general police activity during protests)
While some reports from September 2025 mention mass protests in Sydney and Melbourne wrapping up "without significant incident" and with "at least two arrests made," this appears to refer to a separate, earlier event. The current events highlight a more forceful police response.
Differing Perspectives on Protest Legality and Necessity
Information suggests a legal dimension to the Sydney protests, with demonstrators attempting to march "in defiance of a state law." This implies authorities may have issued directives or restrictions that protesters sought to circumvent. The use of pepper spray, a chemical agent intended for crowd control, by police in both cities indicates a level of unrest that authorities deemed required such measures.
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State Law Context: The attempt by Sydney protesters to march "in defiance of a state law" raises questions about the specific legal parameters governing public gatherings during the presidential visit. Was a permit denied, or were specific routes or activities prohibited?
Police Response: The deployment of pepper spray, a measure often used to disperse crowds when other methods fail or are deemed insufficient, suggests that the scale or nature of the protests led authorities to employ more assertive tactics.
Social and Political Reactions
The protests themselves are a clear indication of public sentiment for a segment of the population, expressing opposition to President Herzog's visit. The scale of the demonstrations in Melbourne, with "thousands of people" rallying, and the active attempt to march in Sydney, demonstrate significant engagement.
"National Outrage": One report characterizes the reaction to the visit as generating "anger at protests across country," suggesting a broader dissatisfaction beyond the immediate protest sites.
Protest Drivers: While the immediate cause is President Herzog's visit, the specific grievances of the protesters are not detailed in the provided snippets, leaving room for inquiry into their motivations.
Conclusion and Outstanding Inquiries
The events in Sydney and Melbourne reveal a significant public reaction against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, characterized by large-scale protests and confrontations with police. Law enforcement deployed pepper spray in both cities, indicating a forceful response to demonstrations.
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Confirmed Actions: Police used pepper spray against protesters in Sydney and Melbourne. Protesters attempted to march in Sydney in defiance of state law.
Unanswered Questions: The specific state laws that protesters defied in Sydney require clarification. A more detailed account of the circumstances leading to police intervention in both cities, including any escalation from the protest side, would be beneficial. Further information on the specific aims and grievances of the protesters is also needed to fully understand the scope of the opposition. Official statements from NSW police regarding their actions are pending.
Sources Used
The Guardian: Published approximately 1 hour ago. Article focuses on police pepper spraying protesters in Sydney and Melbourne during President Herzog's visit.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/09/nsw-police-pepper-spray-protesters-at-sydney-rally-opposing-isaac-herzogs-visit
7NEWS: Published November 3, 2025. Video report mentioning clashes and police pepper spraying protesters against the visit of the Israeli president.
Link: https://7news.com.au/video/news/police-pepper-spray-protesters-outside-sydney-weapons-expo-bc-6384474383112
inkl.com: Published November 3, 2025. Live news updates including a note about police using pepper spray on demonstrators.
Link: https://www.inkl.com/news/australia-politics-live-keating-says-he-gave-fighting-points-to-pm-for-trump-meeting-in-case-president-turned-nasty
ABC News: Published 10 hours ago. Article states the visit sparked anger at protests across the country.
Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-09/crowds-protest-israeli-president-isaac-herzog-in-australia/106321716
Note: Sky News Australia (September 13, 2025), The Independent (January 6, 2026), and SMH.com.au articles were too brief or failed to provide extractable summary data relevant to the core event.
