Melbourne protesters denounce Israeli war criminal’s visit to Australia, Labor’s police-state measures
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
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On February 12, 50,000 workers, students, and youth demonstrated in central Melbourne against Herzog's visit, condemning Labor's complicity in the US-backed onslaught on Gaza, with protesters like Laura, a legal assistant, stating "Australia shouldn't agree with war crimes and shouldn't give any incitement to anyone that has anything to do with war crimes."
The Melbourne rally followed a police crackdown in Sydney, where peaceful protesters were kettled, pepper-sprayed, and assaulted under new powers, with Rob, a truck driver, saying "It's never illegal to have freedom of speech" and condemning the sale of weapons to those who kill children.
Protesters, including high school student Lily and retail workers Ben and Fiona, denounced Herzog's visit and Labor's police-state measures, with John, a retiree, stating that the New South Wales and Victorian state governments are "basically a bunch of fascists" and calling for sanctions against Israel, as prominent Jewish people have also stated that Herzog does not represent them.
