Newcastle Protesters Rally Against Israeli President's Australian Visit
Protesters gathered in Newcastle on Monday evening as part of a nationally coordinated response to Israeli President Isaac Herzog's four-day visit to Australia. Approximately 200 demonstrators assembled in Civic Park around 5.30pm, directly across from Newcastle City Hall, with a small police presence monitoring the event.
National Context of the Demonstration
The Newcastle gathering formed part of a series of rallies organised by the Palestine Action Group across Australian state capitals and regional centres. This occurred against the backdrop of President Herzog's visit, which was initiated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and began with the Israeli leader paying respects to victims of the December 14 attack at Bondi Pavilion.
In Sydney, where the most significant protests occurred, NSW Police had been granted expanded powers under the Major Events Act. These powers allowed authorities to shut down parts of the Sydney CBD, issue move-on notices, and impose fines of up to $5,500. Despite an eleventh-hour Supreme Court challenge by organisers that upheld these police powers, protesters still swarmed the Sydney CBD, resulting in violent clashes with law enforcement and 27 arrests.
Local Newcastle Protest Activities
At the Newcastle demonstration, participants engaged in various forms of peaceful protest. Short speeches were delivered by multiple members of the crowd, and protesters joined together in song expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza. Through a public address system, supporters were encouraged to purchase tickets for the upcoming Newcastle Writers Festival, which features Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah.
This festival recommendation came amidst controversy, as NSW Premier Chris Minns had criticised the festival's decision to include Dr Abdel-Fattah just last week, describing the choice as "crazy" and "divisive."
Political Support and Police Response
City of Newcastle Greens councillor for Ward 2, Joel Pringle, attended the protest to show his support. Councillor Pringle stated, "In Australia we have a right to protest here, and we have a moral obligation to stand up when one of our allies is complicit in atrocities." He further emphasised Newcastle's civic character, declaring, "This is a proud city who stands up for what we believe in."
Newcastle police confirmed that organisers had not submitted the relevant application forms, making the assembly technically unauthorised. However, authorities expressed their commitment to balancing public safety with protest rights. A police spokesperson explained they "support the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly," while emphasising that their priority remains "the safety of the wider community and there will be zero tolerance for unlawful behaviour."
International Context and Controversy
The protests occurred against a complex international backdrop. A 2025 United Nations commission of inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory concluded that President Herzog, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, had made statements establishing "direct and public incitement to commit genocide."
The Israeli foreign ministry has rejected these claims as false, and President Herzog has maintained that his comments were taken out of context. Despite these controversies, the Israeli president's Australian itinerary continues with planned stops in Canberra and Melbourne later this week.
The Newcastle demonstration represents a significant regional expression of the broader national debate surrounding Australia's relationship with Israel and international human rights concerns. As protests continue across the country, they highlight the ongoing tension between diplomatic engagements and public accountability in Australian foreign policy discussions.
