Post Bondi crackdown in Australia accused of targeting pro Palestinian activism

The federal government announced broad reforms after the Bondi attack, in which 15 people were killed at a Jewish holiday event, and New South Wales also passed tougher gun, anti-terror, and protest related laws. Supporters say the changes were needed to confront antisemitism, extremist violence, and threats to social cohesion. Critics, however, say the package has been framed so broadly that it may be used against political activism that does not amount to hate speech or incitement.

In Queensland, the tension is now especially visible. New state hate speech laws that took effect this month have already led to arrests over the phrase “from the river to the sea,” with police also investigating related displays and banners. Civil liberties advocates and protest organisers argue the law is vulnerable to constitutional challenge and say it is being used in a way that disproportionately targets pro-Palestinian expression rather than clearly defined threats of violence.

Concerns have also grown in New South Wales after clashes during protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s February visit to Sydney. Police used pepper spray and tear gas after confrontations with demonstrators, and dozens of arrests followed. Later reporting based on internal messages suggested police had planned to disperse the crowd if numbers reached about 6,000, raising new questions over whether the crackdown was pre-emptive rather than purely a response to disorder. A police watchdog is examining allegations about the operation.

Rights advocates say these developments fit a longer trend. The Human Rights Law Centre’s Protest in Peril report says Australian governments have steadily expanded anti-protest powers over two decades, with New South Wales among the most restrictive jurisdictions. Campaigners warn that when anti-hate laws, stop-and-search powers, and protest controls are layered together, Muslim communities and Palestine solidarity activists can feel singled out even when protesting peacefully.

The Albanese government rejects the accusation that the measures are aimed at one political movement. Ministers say the laws are intended to protect communities from hatred and extremism, and were drafted in response to a surge in antisemitic incidents as well as broader security concerns. Even so, the backlash shows the political cost of trying to address rising antisemitism while also preserving confidence that Australia’s free speech and protest rights apply equally to all communities.