Australian police violently attacked Muslim worshippers during a peaceful prayer vigil in Sydney on February 9, 2026, as part of protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit. Video footage showed officers pepper-spraying and tackling over a dozen men mid-prostration outside a blocked rally site, with some dragged away while reciting Quran verses.
The incident occurred when protesters knelt in prayer to block streets near Herzog's hotel, prompting a heavy-handed response from riot squads. At least 27 arrests followed, including for "obstructing police," though medics treated several for chemical burns, bruises, and respiratory issues—no serious injuries or deaths reported in latest updates. Activists from Muslim Advocates condemned the "desecration of worship," likening it to suppression of religious freedom to protect a foreign leader accused of Gaza atrocities.
Authorities defended the action as necessary for public order during Herzog's security-focused tour, denying religious targeting. Palestinian groups called it Islamophobic escalation, vowing more prayer vigils. The event fueled national outrage, with calls for an independent probe into police conduct amid heightened tensions from the Israeli president's presence.
