The NSW government has invoked special powers ahead of the Israeli president's visit next week, sparking controversy and concern among protesters. Premier Chris Minns has warned that police will not tolerate any 'conflict on Sydney streets', but 13 state and federal NSW MPs have written to the police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, appealing for a more balanced approach. The MPs argue that the government's decision to invoke special powers could effectively ban peaceful protests, and they accuse the premier of trying to paint them as 'inconvenient and illegitimate'.
The Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, is set to arrive in Sydney on Monday for a five-day visit, during which he will meet with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, Jewish leaders, and victims of the Bondi beach terror attack and their families. The government has declared the visit a 'major event', allowing police to implement additional measures to manage crowd safety and maintain separation between different groups. However, protesters fear these powers could be used to restrict their right to peaceful assembly and expression.
The NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, has defended the government's decision, stating that the president is coming to mourn with the Australian Jewish community. She urges the people of NSW to respect their grieving period. However, Greens MP Sue Higginson, who signed the open letter to Lanyon, argues that people protesting on Monday will be acting in accordance with their constitutional freedom. She believes the police have a responsibility to ensure the safe exercise of the right to protest, and that the government's actions are misleading and dangerous.
The controversy highlights the tension between maintaining public safety and upholding the right to peaceful protest. As the visit unfolds, the balance between these two priorities will be tested, and the outcome will have significant implications for the future of civil liberties in NSW.
