Minns defends police after accusations of violence at Sydney protest

Labor backbench and Greens MPs called the police response to a protest against the Israeli president’s visit 'wildly inappropriate', while New South Wales premier Chris Minns defended officers, saying they were 'put in an impossible situation'. Greens MLC Abigail Boyd alleged she was 'targeted and attacked' by police during the rally, injuring her wrist and chin, and told ABC radio she felt 'absolutely shocked'.

NSW police pepper-sprayed protesters at the Sydney rally outside Town Hall opposing President Isaac Herzog’s visit, arrested 27 people and said 10 officers were assaulted, none seriously. Minns said police had done everything possible to avoid confrontation, urging organisers to hold the event in Hyde Park, and noted there were 7,000 Jewish mourners in the city whom officers had to keep apart from protesters.

Australia, Sydney

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