A 69-year-old woman, Jann Alhafny, is in hospital with four broken vertebrae after a police officer pushed her down "very violently" and "without warning" during a protest in Sydney. The rally was held against Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visit. Alhafny told Guardian Australia from her hospital bed, "I straight away knew I’d hurt my back." She said people were pushed on top of her while she was on the ground, causing her to fear suffocation or a stampede. "[The officer] grabbed one arm, and he yanked me up on to my feet, like really severely, and that was excruciating." NSW police said they were not aware of the incident but are reviewing body camera and social media footage. The protest took place on Monday evening at Sydney’s Town Hall and was attended by thousands. Some protesters were pepper sprayed and kettled by police after trying to defy a government ban on marches in the area. The event was under a "major event" declaration, giving police extra powers including moving protesters and searching people. This law also removes victims' ability to sue the state for police actions during the visit. Labor MP Stephen Lawrence, who was present, estimated 20,000 to 30,000 protesters attended, while police said about 6,000. Lawrence said the ban removed lawful protest options and claimed it created a "pressure cooker" leading to violence. Alhafny has attended many protests with the Palestine Action Group. The group’s permit for Monday’s march was rejected due to anti-protest laws enacted after a terrorist attack in Bondi. Alhafny’s late husband was Palestinian, escaping with family during the Nakba. She said she and her daughter always support these protests. She described how police suddenly charged at her without warning and that after being pushed, she could barely walk. Another protester helped her sit, and she called an ambulance. She said she does not need surgery but is in pain and worried about her future. Sydney’s lord mayor, Clover Moore, demanded an independent investigation into police actions and a broader review of protest policing. She said, "We cannot simply say the images aren’t a good look, or that police were just doing their jobs in trying conditions... The community needs to be able to trust police." NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon said officers "did what they needed to do" to keep the community safe by dispersing protesters. The state premier defended police actions and urged looking beyond short video clips for context. Video showed men kneeling to pray, then being dragged by police. Sheikh Wesam Charkawi, leading the prayer, said, "We weren’t disobeying any police commands... What an unacceptable thing that they have done."