A senior NSW Police commander has warned Sydney’s most iconic venue could become the scene of a “disaster” this weekend. The dramatic statement came during heated Court of Appeal hearings over a planned pro-Palestinian demonstration.
Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna told the court the Gaza rally Sydney organisers want to hold at the Opera House forecourt has “disaster written all over it.”
The Palestine Action Group plans to march from Hyde Park to the waterfront landmark on Sunday 12 October, marking two years since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war.
Police Cite Safety Fears as Crowd Estimates Surge
Initial permit applications suggested 10,000 protesters would attend. That figure has now jumped to 40,000 according to organisers. A judge warned the actual turnout could exceed 100,000 given the strong community sentiment.
McKenna expressed serious concerns about moving tens of thousands of people into the Opera House peninsula. The forecourt sits mostly surrounded by water, creating what police describe as a “cul-de-sac” situation.
“If you’re telling me 40,000 – and I don’t think you can say it will be only 40,000 – trying to move them into that area, that cul-de-sac, that peninsula, then I have significant concerns about that,” McKenna told the court.
Police argue the forecourt was designed to hold just 6,000 people. The Opera House’s acting CEO revealed “full security screening” would be deployed, including X-ray checks and visual inspections.
Sydney Opera House forecourt where protesters plan to gather on Sunday
Organisers Defend Right to Protest at Iconic Landmark
Palestine Action Group activist Damian Ridgewell rejected police safety concerns outright. He told ABC Radio the location choice was “entirely appropriate.”
“It’s entirely appropriate that people march to an iconic landmark to make the point that the Australian community is actually horrified by the complicity of our government,” Ridgewell said.
The group wants Australia to:
- Impose sanctions on Israel
- Stop exporting F-35 fighter jet components to Israel
- Allow humanitarian aid into Gaza
- Demand an immediate ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal
Palestine Action Group’s lawyer Nick Hanna warned the case would have “far-reaching ramifications” for protest rights across Australia.
Political Support for Police Challenge
NSW Premier Chris Minns has backed the police court action. He pointed to a controversial Opera House protest in October 2023 when an Israeli flag was burned and antisemitic chants were heard.
The state Labor government previously tried to stop a massive pro-Palestinian march across Sydney Harbour Bridge in August. That attempt failed when the Supreme Court rejected the challenge, allowing more than 100,000 people to cross the bridge.
Jewish community groups have also sought to join the legal battle. Representatives from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry argue the weekly rallies since 2023 have turned Sydney’s streets into flashpoints.
Legal Framework Under Scrutiny
NSW operates a permit system allowing protesters to block public roads and infrastructure unless courts deny permission following police challenges.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley emphasised authorities would base decisions on “public safety and operational grounds” rather than politics.
“This is a matter for the police, they make decisions about protests, not politicians,” Catley told radio station 2GB.
The Court of Appeal adjourned Wednesday afternoon after hearing expert evidence from police and Opera House executives. The three-judge panel is expected to hand down their decision Thursday morning – just days before the planned Sunday rally.
Context: Two Years of Weekly Demonstrations
Pro-Palestinian protests have taken place almost weekly in Sydney since Israel’s military offensive began in October 2023. The conflict was triggered by a Hamas cross-border attack that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage.
Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians according to Gaza health authorities. Famine was declared in Gaza City in August, with over 641,000 people facing catastrophic food insecurity according to UN figures.
A separate UN inquiry last month found Israel had committed and was continuing to commit genocide in Gaza.
What Happens Next?
The court decision will determine whether Sunday’s Sydney Opera House rally can proceed as planned. If blocked, organisers may need to choose an alternative location or risk legal consequences.
Either way, the case sets a precedent for how NSW authorities balance public safety concerns against constitutional rights to political protest.
ON SUN 12TH OCT the good people of Sydney will peacefully march to the Opera House with a very clear message:
– We oppose Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
– We care about free speech.
– We will never allow freedom of political expression threatened nor stifled in Australia.
Join us pic.twitter.com/Tvi4hP8FUY
— Solo Monk (@JJKALE2) October 8, 2025
The timing is particularly sensitive, coming just after the October 7 anniversary of the Hamas attack that triggered the current conflict.
Assistant Commissioner McKenna maintained his focus remained on operational concerns rather than political considerations.
“I’m sitting here, out of my concerns,” he told the court. “I don’t think people are going to come walk through and then just walk out again.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the Gaza rally planned in Sydney?
A: The protest is scheduled for Sunday 12 October 2025, starting at Hyde Park and planned to finish at Sydney Opera House.
Q: How many people are expected to attend?
A: Organisers initially said 10,000 but now expect 40,000. A judge warned actual turnout could exceed 100,000.
Q: Why are police opposing the rally?
A: NSW Police cite safety concerns, arguing the Opera House forecourt can only hold 6,000 people and is surrounded by water on three sides.
Q: Has this happened before?
A: Yes, pro-Palestinian protesters rallied at the Opera House in October 2023, shortly after the October 7 Hamas attack. That protest saw an Israeli flag burned and antisemitic chants.
What will happen if the court blocks the rally?
A: Organisers would need to choose an alternative location or potentially face legal consequences if they proceed anyway.
