A former Greens candidate, Hannah Thomas, who required surgery after allegedly being struck by police at a pro-Palestine protest, expressed her outrage over the New South Wales police’s decision to authorize a neo-Nazi rally on the steps of parliament. She described the move as a “sickening” demonstration of a “clear double standard” by the authorities.
On Saturday, about 60 men dressed in black gathered to call for the abolition of the Jewish lobby, a rally that was authorized by NSW police. The decision has been met with widespread condemnation, with Jewish groups labeling it as “unfathomable.” The NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, stated he was unaware of the rally’s authorization, attributing it to a “communication error” that failed to inform the state government in advance.
Outcry from Jewish Communities
The premier, Chris Minns, announced a review into the police’s decision not to oppose the rally, contrasting it with their previous opposition to high-profile pro-Palestinian protests in Sydney. Sarah Schwartz, the chief executive of the Jewish Council of Australia, criticized the inconsistent police responses to different forms of political expression.
“We’ve seen entirely inconsistent police responses when it comes to addressing far-right extremism and when it comes to addressing other forms of political expression,” Schwartz said.
Alon Cassuto, chief executive of the Zionist Federation of Australia, echoed these sentiments, demanding a full review to understand how the rally was permitted. Despite new laws criminalizing incitement of racial hatred, the rally proceeded, prompting Minns to consider granting police more powers to curb such demonstrations.
Legal and Political Repercussions
Thomas, who underwent surgery after being struck during a protest, has had all charges against her dropped. A police officer involved has been charged with assault. Thomas plans to pursue a civil claim against NSW police, highlighting what she perceives as a disparity in police tolerance.
Meanwhile, legal experts and activists have questioned the need for additional police powers. Arif Hussein of the Human Rights Law Centre criticized Minns for potentially using the rally as a pretext for further law enforcement measures.
“Before making another kneejerk law and order response, Minns should be focused on coming up with a real plan to combat the far right and neo-Nazis organizing in his state,” Hussein remarked.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The controversy over the neo-Nazi rally is set against a backdrop of increasing protest activity in Australia. Alex Ryvchin, chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, noted that the frequency of protests has overwhelmed police resources, leading to lapses in oversight.
“[When] police have been inundated with applications for protests by professional protesters every single week for two years, these sorts of things will occur, but they shouldn’t occur,” Ryvchin told ABC TV.
Josh Lees, organizer of a pro-Palestine march earlier this year, criticized the police’s handling of recent protests, comparing their treatment of neo-Nazis to the aggressive policing of activists at a weapons expo. He argued that existing laws should suffice to prevent hate rallies without additional legislation.
The NSW police and the premier’s office have been contacted for further comments. As the review unfolds, the implications for future protest management and the balance of civil liberties remain uncertain, with many calling for a more consistent and fair approach to policing demonstrations.
