Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators flooded the streets of Sydney on Tuesday, chanting "Not in my name" in a vocal protest against the visiting Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Waving Palestinian flags and holding placards decrying Israel's actions in Gaza, the crowd gathered outside the Sydney Opera House, where Herzog was scheduled to address Australian leaders. The rally, organized by a coalition of Palestinian solidarity groups and local activists, highlighted deep divisions within Australia's multicultural society over the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Organizers estimated attendance at over 5,000, with participants ranging from students and union members to members of Sydney's Arab and Muslim communities. Speakers took turns condemning what they described as Israeli "genocide" in Gaza, linking the president's visit to Australia's continued support for Israel amid reports of thousands of civilian deaths. "This is not in our name as Australians who value human rights," declared rally co-chair Fatima Al-Sayed, a prominent community advocate. Security was tight, with New South Wales police forming a cordon to prevent clashes, though the event remained peaceful.
Herzog's four-day visit to Australia, his first since the October 2023 Hamas attacks that sparked the current war, aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and garner support for Israel's defense posture. Invited by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the trip includes meetings with political, business, and Jewish community leaders. Protesters argued the timing—months into a conflict that has drawn global scrutiny—underscored Australia's complicity, pointing to arms sales and diplomatic stances as enablers of violence.
The demonstration underscores a surge in pro-Palestinian activism across Western capitals, where diaspora communities and progressive groups have mobilized against perceived Western bias toward Israel. In Sydney, home to one of the world's largest Jewish populations outside Israel, the rally also sparked counter-gatherings by pro-Israel supporters near the harbor, who waved Israeli flags and called for hostage releases. Tensions have simmered since the war's outbreak, with previous protests leading to arrests and debates over hate speech laws.
Analysts view the "Not in my name" slogan as a pointed rejection by some Australian Jews and allies, distancing themselves from Israeli policies while affirming solidarity with Palestinian civilians. As Herzog's visit continues, it tests Australia's balancing act between its alliances and domestic pressures for a ceasefire. With polls showing eroding public support for Israel, the protests signal potential electoral ripple effects for the Labor government ahead of upcoming polls.
