PM Albanese 'Sorry' After Police Clash with Anti-Israeli President Protesters in Sydney

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he felt 'deeply sorry' about the violent confrontations between police and protesters demonstrating against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Sydney. 'I don't think these scenes should have happened,' Albanese told local media. The incident occurred hours after police arrested 27 protesters on Monday evening, following a failed court challenge by protest organizers to limit police restrictions on demonstrations. Albanese maintained his decision to invite Herzog after the Bondi Beach shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration that killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl on December 14, 2025, stating it would help the Jewish community heal despite Palestinian supporter opposition. Video footage showed approximately 6,000 protesters gathered outside Sydney's Town Hall, with multiple clashes erupting between police and demonstrators, including images of police punching protesters and dragging a Muslim man away from prayer. Josh Lees from the Palestinian Action Group described the evening's violence as the 'worst' in recent years, arguing that protesters should have the right to march and that the confrontation could have been avoided if police had permitted a planned route.