Up to 6,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Sydney Town Hall on Monday evening, opposing Herzog’s state visit invited by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Police enforced a ban on a planned march, leading to 27 arrests after protesters pushed forward; officers used pepper spray when some blocked streets and allegedly assaulted them.
Herzog began his four-day trip by honouring Bondi terror attack victims and warning of rising antisemitism, while protesters decried the disruption of their prayers and vowed more actions.
Smaller clashes occurred in Melbourne, underscoring divisions over the Gaza conflict and the visit.
