The New South Wales government gave police broad powers during Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit. These powers are meant to stop protests, said the Palestine Action Group Lawyers in court on Monday. The urgent court hearing happened before a protest planned to march from Town Hall to state parliament. The government called the powers necessary to protect the president and public safety. These powers, usually for big sports events, allow police to move people, close places, and search anyone in parts of the CBD and eastern suburbs until Thursday. Fines up to $5,500 apply for disobeying orders. Felicity Graham, speaking for the Palestine Action Group, argued the government misused these powers to stop protests. She quoted the government’s own words saying they want to avoid conflict between mourners, visitors, and protesters. She added, “This is about stopping legitimate political expression against a controversial visiting head of state.” Justice Robertson Wright questioned if the aim was really safety given the wide area and long four-day period. Graham said the powers were too broad and acted like a backdoor ban on protests. Lawyer Peter Lange said police could search anyone in the eastern suburbs during this time, which he called unreasonable. Brendan Lim, the government lawyer, said the law’s term “event” is broad. He said the powers are for keeping the president and community safe amid national terrorism threats and not to suppress protests. The government pointed out that Hyde Park was excluded from these police powers to show protest suppression was not the aim. The judge was expected to decide by 4pm if the government used its powers rightly. The protest was set to begin at 5:30pm at Town Hall. However, a public assembly restriction also bans marches in key areas, risking arrest. These rules cover Town Hall, parts of the CBD, and eastern suburbs, but exclude Hyde Park.