Deeply concerning footage released yesterday exposes a NSW Police Officer boasting about punching a protester at a protest against Israeli President Herzog’s visit in January, and demands an independent investigation into state-sanctioned police brutality at the protest.
This follows footage that was released on the day. Despite a peaceful protest, NSW Police boxed in the crowd and scores of protesters were injured. The use of unlawful force against protesters and those responsible must be held accountable.
The rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are protected under international law. Australia has clear obligations under international law to respect and uphold these fundamental rights, including by facilitating people’s ability to peacefully exercise their right to protest.
Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson, Mohamed Duar, said:
“State-sanctioned violence, police brutality and excessive use of force have no place in Australia. Under International law, police should be protecting and facilitating the right to peaceful protest, not responding to peaceful protest with brutal, excessive force.
“Footage appearing to show a police officer boasting about punching a protester who was on the ground raises deeply concerning questions about the treatment of protesters and the use of force by NSW Police. The response to this protest is outrageous.
“Any allegations of police brutality must be urgently and independently investigated. There must be accountability where police have acted unlawfully or breached human rights.”
Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson, Mohamed Duar
“Any allegations of police brutality must be urgently and independently investigated. There must be accountability where police have acted unlawfully or breached human rights.
“People should be able to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, opinion and peaceful assembly without fear of violence or intimidation from those responsible for upholding the law.”
Amnesty International Australia reiterates that police must prioritise facilitating peaceful protest, rather than suppressing it through the use of force. Law enforcement authorities must comply with international human rights standards, including the requirement that any use of force be lawful, necessary, proportionate and directed towards a legitimate objective.
Background
On the evening of 9 February 2026, around 10,000 people gathered in Sydney to protest Herzog’s visit to Australia and demand justice and accountability for the Israeli President, whom Amnesty, the International Court of Justice and the UN Independent Commission of Enquiry have found has overseen and incited genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Five protesters were transported to hospital, with 27 arrested. First Nations Peoples, Muslim worshippers and leaders, as well as elderly protesters, were among those subjected to police use of force, including the use of pepper spray, police on horseback charging into crowds, and officers boxing protesters in with no avenue to safely disperse before launching attacks.
Amnesty activists and supporters, including teenagers, sustained injuries after being surrounded by police at Sydney Town Hall and prevented from leaving, before being charged from all sides.
The excessive use of force by police occurred against the backdrop of rushed protest laws passed by the NSW Parliament. Amnesty warned that these laws risk criminalising peaceful protest and enabling arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement, particularly against vulnerable and marginalised communities.
Since October 2023, Australians have been continuously taking to the streets to demand an end to genocide, occupation, apartheid and ethnic cleansing in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
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