NSW Premier Chris Minns says a clash between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters at Bondi Beach was “reprehensible” as police investigate if charges should be laid.
Officers were called to the iconic strip about 8am after the pro-Palestinian protest and a counter protest group clashed on the steps of the beach.
Video from the scene shows the groups taunting each other before a melee ensues.
A man pointing at the pro-Palestinian gathering can be heard telling police officers: “They don’t live here, I live here, they’re terrorists, get them out of here.”
Video published by The Sydney Morning Herald shows another protester yelling “Go back to Lakemba” and “This is our land, we don’t come to Lakemba, don’t come to Bondi”.
Police could be seen dragging several people away in the footage as the chaotic scenes played out.
Video of the scuffle showed the chaotic scenes as police intervened. (Supplied)
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mr Minns said there would be “zero tolerance” for political violence.
“Any rhetoric like that is the opposite of what we need in Australia,” he said.
“Anyone that brings political violence to Australia, to Australian streets, is reprehensible.
“In fact a lot of people come to Australia precisely because we don’t have political violence in our country and we have to have zero tolerance in relation to it.
“There is no place for anybody assaulting another person because of their political views.”
Chris Minns speaking to reporters on Monday. He said the scenes at the protest were “reprehensible”. (ABC News)
Mr Minns said police would confront political violence “whenever and wherever they see it”.
“Yes, you have a right to protest but you don’t have a right to infringe on another person’s liberty, destroy their day, or worst-case scenario, to assault another person.
“We have to stand against it, that’s not the kind of country we want to live it, we see it in other places around the world, it’s not for Sydney, it’s not for Australia.”
Police investigating clashes
A NSW Police spokesperson said officers were reviewing footage from the scene.
In a statement police said they were investigating the incident.
“To ensure community safety, local police managed these protests with assistance from the Public Order and Riot Squad, Operation Odin, and the Central Metropolitan Region High Visibility Patrol unit,” the statement said.
“Police intervened in a scuffle between two groups; there were no reports of injuries and no arrests have been made at this time. Inquiries into the incident are ongoing.
“The protests concluded without further incident, and crowds dispersed by about 12pm.”
Allegra Spender said she was “saddened”. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)
Wentworth MP Allegra Spender, whose electorate covers Bondi Beach, told ABC Radio National the majority of people behaved well but she was “saddened” by some of the scenes.
“I was really saddened I’ll be honest,” Ms Spender said.
“I don’t want to see and I don’t think anyone wants to see people shouting and at each other on Bondi Beach and certainly some of the things that were said were pretty awful.”