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Mass protests across Australia during the February 9, 2026, visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog have triggered serious human rights concerns after video footage appeared to show police using excessive force against protestors in Sydney. An independent investigation has been launched following multiple complaints and allegations of unlawful use of force.
Photo source: Samantha Gilmore, via Unsplash, November 10th, 2024.
13-02-2026 |Roberta Moisuc | Asia Team Researcher, Global Human Rights Defence.
Australian police forces used apparent excessive force against individuals protesting the arrival of Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog in Australia. On February 9th, 2026, thousands of protesters gathered across several places across Australia to oppose the arrival of the Israeli president, who was on a trip aimed at expressing solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community following an invitation from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the aftermath of the December 14 shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, were 15 people were killed.
The visit has caused anger to individuals, as the president is accused of “direct and public incitement to commit genocide” by a United Nations Commission of Inquiry. In Sydney, thousands of protesters gathered in the square of the city’s central business district, giving speeches and shouting pro-Palestine slogans. Video footage from the protests shows New South West police punching protesters lying on the ground, dragging Muslims who were praying, and using pepper spray. The police were preventing protesters from marching outside of Sydney Town Hall as officers were “threatened, jostled, and assaulted”.
According to the police, 27 individuals were arrested for violations of public order and assault. Additional video footage shows police repeatedly punching a pinned protester in the head and torso and chasing a group of protesters in the face with pepper spray. Journalists at the scene claim that no violence or provocation was seen by any protesters contrary to police claims.
On February 13th, 2026, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission stated it would examine the police response after receiving complaints. An independent inquiry into reports of police brutality will examine all available material, including video and phone footage, documents, records and other information, conduct hearings and publish a public report on the investigation.
