Thousands of people have gathered in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for a Jewish vigil in support of Israel.
Close to 10,000 registered for the event in Dover Heights on Wednesday, including NSW Premier Chris Minns, who was introduced as “a true friend of the state of Israel”, and federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Melbourne, where he spoke at a synagogue, but he was represented at the Sydney vigil by federal Health Minister Mark Butler.
Police and guards were a visible presence as security was ramped up to allow people to mourn the more than 1000 victims of Hamas’ horrifying attack on a music festival and a host of other Israeli targets at the weekend.
NSW Police said they didn’t have any warning of direct threats, and the evening proceeded peacefully.
Jewish residents were urged not to attend a pro-Palestine protest as the Opera House was lit up in Israeli colours on Monday.
No marchers have been arrested but some were seen burning an Israeli flag and chanting anti-Semitic phrases.
“I really want to make it clear to the Jewish community that I want to apologise to them specifically on behalf of the government and myself as the premier of New South Wales,” Minns said.
Mark Spiro, who had an Israeli flag at the protest, wants his own apology after being arrested for what police said was “to prevent a breach of the peace for his safety”.
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Police Minister Yasmin Catley said he was removed from “what was a very conflictual protest that was happening for his own safety”.
“I thought that was a bit of a cop out to be honest, it was very general,” Spiro said.
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Police said another pro-Palestine protest planned for Sunday was “unauthorised at this stage” but conceded they could do nothing to stop it.
Palestine Action Group organiser Fahad Ali said it would be going ahead and pledged to do “everything to ensure that it is a peaceful protest”.
