Sydney police used pepper spray and tear gas on Monday to control thousands of protesters during a rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit. The visit, lasting four days, aimed to support Australia's Jewish community after a deadly December shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach Hanukkah festival. However, Herzog's visit sparked widespread protests in Sydney and Melbourne. In Sydney, the rally turned violent as police clashed with protesters and media members, hitting some with pepper spray. Many Australians accuse Herzog of involvement in civilian deaths in Gaza. Pro-Palestine groups organised protests across the country on Monday evening. Thousands gathered in Sydney’s central business district, shouting pro-Palestine slogans. Protester Jackson Elliott said, “The Bondi massacre was terrible but from our Australian leadership there’s been no acknowledgment of the Palestinian people and the Gazans.” He added, “Herzog has dodged all the questions about the occupation and says this visit is about Australia and Israeli relations but he is complicit.” Police had a strong presence with helicopters and mounted officers. They used tear gas and pepper spray to push protesters back when they tried to breach police lines. Several protesters were arrested amid clashes. The Palestine Action Group’s spokesman Josh Lees said on Instagram, “the police had repeatedly charged us with horses and pepper spray.” In Melbourne, thousands also demanded an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. New South Wales authorities gave police extra powers to control the demonstration before the rally. Protesters tried and failed to overturn these powers in the Supreme Court just before the protest began. Meanwhile, Herzog attended an event called “An Evening of Light and Solidarity” for the December massacre victims. Earlier, he laid a wreath at Bondi Pavilion to pay respects under rainy skies. In 2025, the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry found Herzog liable for prosecution for inciting genocide after blaming all Palestinians for a Hamas attack on Israel.