Australian police arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters, beat demonstrators and used pepper spray during mass rallies in Sydney opposing the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Thousands gathered at Sydney Town Hall, where police blocked protesters from marching along routes near the Herzog’s movements, ordering them to disperse and warning that any march would be considered unlawful.

At least 27 people were arrested as officers used pepper spray on crowds chanting “let us march” and beating drums while attempting to move toward the New South Wales Parliament.

In October 2023, following the Hamas attacks on southern Israel, Herzog said of the Palestinian population in Gaza: “It’s an entire nation out there that is responsible. This rhetoric about civilians not aware, not involved, it’s absolutely not true.”

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory later condemned the Israeli president’s remarks as constituting incitement to genocide.