NSW Police have confirmed that a group of Muslim men disrupted mid‑prayer during Monday night’s protest in Sydney had already been granted permission to worship an admission that has intensified calls for a public apology.
The rally, held in opposition to Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit, began peacefully but later turned tense when some protesters attempted to march toward the NSW Parliament. That route was prohibited under a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration, prompting police to issue move‑on orders.
Footage from the event shows officers forcibly removing several men as they prayed in Town Hall Square. The vision sparked widespread criticism and demands for accountability.
On Thursday, NSW Police acknowledged that the men had earlier been told they could continue their worship. A spokesperson said a senior officer had authorised the prayer but struggled to communicate that instruction to other officers amid what they described as a “noisy, dynamic and fast‑moving situation.”
The incident has added pressure on the force to explain its handling of the rally and address community concerns about religious freedom and policing practices.
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