Australian police have defended their strong response after violent clashes with protesters in Sydney during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit. Videos showed police charging and punching demonstrators on Monday night, with 27 arrests and 10 officers reported injured. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said officers "did what they needed to do" and showed "remarkable restraint." Protest organisers had lost a court battle to ease restrictions on marching, with new laws limiting protests after a deadly antisemitic attack in Bondi Beach. Around 6,000 people, according to police, gathered at Sydney’s Town Hall to protest, demanding the right to march, which the government banned. Pro-Palestinian activist Josh Lees called the violence the "worst" he’d seen in years and said "all of this could have been avoided" if authorities allowed the march. NSW Premier Chris Minns said police were "put in an impossible situation" and urged the public "not to look at a 10-second clip without the full context." During the protest, police used pepper spray, and demonstrators were blocked from leaving. NSW Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna described the crowd as "significantly outnumbering" police and claimed officers faced assault. Some protesters, including NSW Greens MP Abigail Boyd, said they were pushed hard despite identifying as parliament members. Footage showed Muslim men praying being dragged by police, which the Australian National Imams Council called "shocking" and "unacceptable." Jewish demonstrator Linda Feinberg expressed outrage at Herzog’s invitation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the protest scenes "devastating" but defended hosting Herzog, saying protesters "undermined" their cause. Herzog’s visit was seen as a gesture to the Jewish community after the December attack that killed 15 at a Hanukkah event. Protesters oppose Herzog due to accusations by a UN commission that he incited genocide against Palestinians, claims he rejects. Another protest is planned outside a Sydney police station, demanding dropped charges and investigations into police actions during Monday’s protest.