Thousands protest against Israeli President Herzog's Australia visit

"Demonstrators risk arrest if they join a protest march late on Monday, organised by the Palestine Action Group from Sydney Town Hall to New South Wales Parliament, which falls in an area authorities have designated as a special protected area during Herzog's visit. Palestine Action Group failed in a legal challenge in a Sydney court on Monday against the restrictions placed on the demonstration."

"The Israeli president began his four-day visit to Australia at Sydney's Bondi Beach, where he laid a wreath at a memorial for the victims of the December attack, which killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration. He also met survivors and the families of those killed. This was also an attack on all Australians, Herzog said at the site of the attack. They attacked the values that our democracies treasure, the sanctity of human life, the freedom of religion, tolerance, dignity and respect."

Demonstrators risk arrest if they join a protest march late on Monday organized by the Palestine Action Group from Sydney Town Hall to New South Wales Parliament because the route falls within a special protected area designated during Isaac Herzog's visit. The Palestine Action Group failed in a legal challenge in a Sydney court against the restrictions. Thousands demonstrated in a Sydney business district square, with more protests planned across the country in the evening. Herzog began a four-day visit by laying a wreath at Bondi Beach for victims of the December attack that killed 15 people and by meeting survivors and families. New South Wales planned to deploy 3,000 police personnel in Sydney and authorities said they have liaised closely with protest organisers.

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