Heavy police expected ahead of pro-Palestine rally in Sydney

NSW Premier Chris Minns has pleaded for calm, warning any kind of vilification or violence would not be tolerated.

Police will have the option of seeking “extraordinary powers” today, after a similar rally ended with antisemitic chanting and the burning of an Israeli flag outside the Opera House on Monday night.

NSW Police Acting Commissioner David Hudson backed police using the powers, which were first used during the 2005 Cronulla riots.

“I can indicate that the powers we are considering authorising will include any person who attends Hyde Park with the intention to assemble, and perhaps protest, will be subject to searching powers where we don’t need reasonable cause to search,” he said.

“We will also be demanding that they provide us with their identity and if they fail to do so it is an offence.

“These are extraordinary powers.”

Originally planned as a march from Town Hall, the event was changed to a “static rally” after organisers failed to submit a form for the protest, which was needed to be lodged seven days in advance.

The organisers had condemned the antisemitic demonstrations seen earlier this week, saying they were carried out by a tiny minority of marchers.

Palestine Action Group Sydney said anyone planning a similar display today would not be welcome at its rally.

Former NSW police officer Peter Moroney told Weekend Today that it would be a “big logisical effort” for police today.

“One of the main concerns is public safety. As we know and as we saw this week, these things can go from reasonably peaceful (but) can explode quickly and rapidly,” he said.

“The main concern for police today is ensure that whoever attends, attends for the right reasons and sticks within the parameters of what we would expect decent behaviour.”

Officers will be able to stop and search attendees and take down their names and address under the powers.