Palestinian protesters clash with police at Sydney port over Israeli vessel unloading

Pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police at one of Australia’s largest ports to protest against the unloading of a ship from an Israeli-owned shipping company.

Dozens of protesters gathered for an “unsanctioned protest” near the port’s loading dock on Foreshore Road in Port Botany about 7pm on Sunday.

The group was demonstrating against the Israeli shipping line ZIM after a cargo ship providing a service for the company docked at the port.

Activists beat drums and waved Palestinian flags while chanting slogans including “Free Palestine,” “from the river to the sea” and “ZIM out of botany, bombs out of Gaza.”

Protesters marched towards the port entrance on Penhryn Road and were met by a dense line of police preventing access to the docks.

At 9:30 p.m., a senior police officer informed the group that they would be arrested if they did not disband, but the protesters sat on the street and chanted slogans about him.

Australian Greens deputy leader and senator Mehreen Faruqi, who was present, thanked the crowd for their solidarity and criticized New South Wales’ “draconian” protest laws.

“It is an absolute disgrace for the police,” Ms Faruqi said to applause from the crowd. “These tactics are used to intimidate and scare us.”

Mrs. Farqui also lashed out at the Albanian government: “How ruthless and cruel it can be to help and arm Israel.”

“ZIM shipping should never be welcomed in this country.”

He also stated that companies that aligned themselves with the “Israeli war machine” should not have access to Australia.

The protest began peacefully but quickly escalated after police intervened to break up the group shortly before 10 p.m.

NSW Police said the crowd was “given some time” to move off the road, but “some did not comply and were arrested for disobeying police instructions.”

Protesters began shouting and booing as police officers arrested a total of 19 protesters.

All 19 were taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with obstructing pedestrians or other pedestrians, failing to comply with moving instructions and remaining near or in important premises causing serious disruption.

Those arrested will appear at Downing Center Local Court on Wednesday. He will face Downing Center Local Court on Wednesday.

The remaining protesters were moved off the road and a small group gathered in a nearby park before leaving.