Police warn pro-Palestine protesters there will be ‘no tolerance’ for illegal behaviour or violence

The Prime Minister says anyone planning October 7 events other than solemn commemorations of the Jewish lives lost should “think again” as police warn there will be no tolerance of illegal behaviour at pro-Palestinian protests.

Protest organisers in NSW reached a compromise with police late on Thursday over plans for an event on Sunday but police said a similar gathering on Monday — the anniversary of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel — would be an “unauthorised assembly”.

“We’ve done these protest marches now for — this will be week 52, so we’re well rehearsed. We deal with this Palestinian action group on a weekly basis,” Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said on Friday.

He said people had a democratic right to protest and if there was no reason for police to intervene, they wouldn’t.

The protests have come under intense political scrutiny, with Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton both saying there was no place for celebration of the Hamas attacks nor the role of Hezbollah or its leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli strike last week.

Asked about reports that extremist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir was planning a separate “outrage rally” in Sydney’s southwest on Monday, Mr Albanese condemned the group and its plans.

“October 7 is the date where it is one year since the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust,” he said.

“This, in my mind, should be very much a solemn day that occurs, one where we recognise this horror that occurred on October 7.

“Australians overwhelmingly want to see tolerance. They don’t want to see conflict brought here.

“And I believe very strongly that those planning any events on October 7 should think again and should recognise that that is not the time to engage in that activity.”

In a rare joint statement on Friday, the Australian Federal Police and all State forces said police were planning and preparing for upcoming protests.

“Police respect the right to peacefully protest and assemble in Australia, however, there will be no tolerance for illegal behaviour or violence on any day of the year,” the statement said.

“In Australia, there are offences that prohibit behaviour that incites or advocates violence or hatred based on race and religion, including the display of prohibited symbols in public under these circumstances.

“It is also a serious offence to counsel, promote, encourage, urge, instruct or praise terrorism.”

One woman has been charged with displaying the flag of the designated terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a Sydney protest last weekend while in Victoria, police are investigating several other people for the same thing.

Mr McKenna warned police would take action if they believed people were illegally displaying terrorist symbols.

“I will say this quite clearly: It is an offence to utilise or have those Hezbollah or terrorist-type symbols held up in a public place,” he said.

Mr Dutton said it was right for police to have zero tolerance of rallies marking the October 7 attacks.

“Israel wasn’t firing rockets in defence on the 6th of October. They hadn’t responded to the 7th of October events, obviously, on the 7th of October, the 8th of October or the 9th of October. And we see now people who want to celebrate,” he said.

“This was the biggest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust, and the thought that somebody would be out there now wanting to celebrate an anniversary of the Holocaust would sicken any Australian.”

He accused Mr Albanese of failing to show leadership and splitting away from the position of the US.

The Prime Minister said Australia’s relationship with the US was strong, pointing to the joint statement he signed last week with President Biden and the leaders of France, Canada, the EU, Italy, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE calling for de-escalation in the region.

“Of course Israel has a right to defend itself,” Mr Albanese said.

“But as we and the US and others have said, the region needs de-escalation.

“The cycle of violence cannot continue without end, and that is something that we will continue to work with partners on.”

Early on Friday, leaders of the G7 countries – the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the EU – issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and called on all players, including Israel and Iran, to act with restraint.

“A dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation risks fueling uncontrollable escalation in the Middle East, which is in no one’s interest,” they said, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and “as soon as possible” in Lebanon.

Mr Dutton avoided answering a question about whether he endorsed Israel’s ground incursion into Lebanon to rout out Hezbollah.

Mr Biden said overnight he was in talks with Israel about possibly striking Iran’s oil facilities in response to the Arab nation’s missile strike, but that “we don’t ‘allow’ Israel, we advise Israel”.

Asked if he was confident all-out war could be averted, Mr Biden said: “How confident are you it’s not going to rain? Look, I don’t believe there is going to be an all-out war. I think we can avoid it. But there is a lot to do yet.”

The Government is also urging any Australians in Lebanon to leave immediately. DFAT has secured 500 seats for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their families on flights on Saturday.