New South Wales police used pepper spray on protesters at a Sydney rally against Israeli president Isaac Herzog's visit. Hundreds tried to march despite a state law banning marches after the Bondi terror attack. Thousands gathered near Sydney Town Hall on Monday evening. Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi and former Australian of the Year Grace Tame spoke to the crowd. Three NSW Labor backbenchers attended despite the premier’s wishes. Protesters chanted “let us march” and beat drums. Police and organizers spoke for over an hour. When protesters tried to march, police sprayed pepper spray. People near the front ran back coughing. Some poured water on their eyes. Scuffles broke out. NSW Labor backbencher Anthony D’Adam said he saw police punching people and throwing someone to the ground. He said a woman was hurt after an officer pushed his bike into her. That led to anger and more officers joining the fight. D’Adam called the police response “totally over-the-top.” He said the government should have allowed the march to avoid trouble. Thousands also rallied in Melbourne where senator Lidia Thorpe spoke. She said, "I stand against violence of all forms, particularly genocide. I stand in solidarity [with] the victims in Bondi. But I also stand with my Palestinian brothers and sisters." Herzog’s visit began Monday and was invited by Prime Minister Albanese to promote unity after an antisemitic shooting on December 14. Some want Herzog arrested over a UN commission’s finding that he and other Israeli leaders "have incited the commission of genocide." Herzog called the case a “form of blood libel” and rejected criticism about blaming an entire nation for the October 7 attacks. On the protests, Herzog said, "It is important for me to say that I’ve come here in goodwill. These demonstrations, in most cases, what you hear and see comes to undermine and delegitimise our right, my nation’s right, the nation which I am the head of state of, of its mere existence."