Harbour Bridge protest to proceed after court ruling, as Jewish leaders warn of rising tensions

A major pro-Palestinian protest is set to take place on the Sydney Harbour Bridge this Sunday, August 3, after the NSW Supreme Court rejected a bid by police and the Premier to block the event.

There have been renewed warnings from Jewish community leaders about safety, antisemitism, and social cohesion.

The so-called “March for Humanity”, organised by the Palestine Action Group, is expected to attract up to 50,000 participants and will close key traffic routes across central Sydney. The Supreme Court’s ruling, handed down on Saturday morning, means the protest is now authorised, removing police powers to disperse or restrict the gathering under public order legislation.

NSW Police and Premier Minns had argued the event posed unacceptable safety risks due to inadequate preparation time and the potential for counter-protests. “There’s a lot of hostility in the community at the moment,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson told the court on Friday. “It will be dangerous. We don’t know what we’re dealing with.”

Premier Chris Minns also spoke out against the protest ahead of the ruling, describing the plan to march across the Harbour Bridge as “reckless” and warning it could paralyse Sydney and inflame tensions. “The bridge is critical infrastructure,” Minns said. “I don’t think it’s the right place for political protests.”

Despite these objections, the court accepted arguments from organisers that authorising the protest would reduce the likelihood of confusion or unrest. Palestine Action Group spokesperson Josh Lees told the court, “We want a march across the bridge to stop the genocide. We don’t want confrontation.”

The decision has drawn criticism from Jewish leaders, who have warned that recent protests have featured aggressive chanting and antisemitic slogans.

Writing on Facebook, Alex Ryvchin, Co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, condemned the court’s decision to overrule police and government efforts to prevent this disruptive protest planned for the Sydney Harbour Bridge. “There is a lot of dismay in the community and wider society,” Ryvchin wrote, adding that “a single judge has overruled a decision of the police and the elected government made in the interests of public safety.” He criticised the organisers, describing the lead protestor as a “professional protestor who has cost the state millions of dollars” and is now set “to paralyse our city.”

“The organisers may have branded this to be about ‘humanity’ and the judge clearly accepted this,” he said, “but the organisers are the same group that held a pro-Palestinian rally even as the October 7 massacre was still unfolding.”

Ryvchin expressed confidence that most Australians reject such tactics: “We take comfort knowing that the vast majority of Australians want no part of this.” He concluded with a plea not to forget those most affected by the ongoing conflict. “We continue to pray for the starved and tortured hostages still held in Gaza, whose fate is ignored or belittled by the protestors.”

A spokesperson for the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies said the organisation was disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision to authorise the protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

“Freedom of expression and assembly are fundamental to our democracy and must be respected,” the spokesperson said. “However, we are concerned about the precedent set by permitting this protest to occupy one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks and key transport arteries.”

“At a time when social cohesion is under strain, the Harbour Bridge should not be used to bring a divisive foreign conflict onto our streets.”

The spokesperson added that the Board was particularly concerned that the protest must not become a platform for the kind of hateful rhetoric seen at previous demonstrations.

“We pray for the safety and well-being of all innocent civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza, and we again call on Hamas to end the suffering by releasing the hostages and laying down its arms.”

The pro-Israel advocacy group “Never Again Is Now” has announced that it has withdrawn its Form 1 application to stage a protest in the Sydney Harbour Tunnel following discussions with NSW Police. In a statement posted to Facebook, the group affirmed its respect for free speech and protest but said closing major roads would “disrespect the community of Sydney.”

Community Security Group (CSG) NSW, which provides security for Jewish communal sites, issued a warning on Friday advising members of the Jewish community to avoid the area. “Based on previous events, such as the protest at the Sydney Opera House on 9 October 2023, there is a real possibility of aggressive chanting, hostile behaviour, and intimidating scenes,” the advisory said.

While CSG said it would not direct how individuals respond, it strongly discouraged any form of counter-protest, noting that police were likely to view such actions as antagonistic and potentially actionable.

“We encourage the community to channel strength and unity through meaningful, peaceful actions – by showing up for one another, actively engaging in communal life beyond the ordinary, and embodying menschlichkeit: demonstrating calm, resilience, and pride in who we are,” the statement said.

Transport for NSW has confirmed that major road closures will be in place around the CBD and Harbour Bridge approaches on Sunday. Commuters have been urged to use public transport and avoid driving in the area.

The protest will be the first of its kind to cross the Harbour Bridge since the escalation of the Israel–Hamas conflict in October 2023. It comes amid a significant surge in antisemitic incidents across Australia, prompting Jewish organisations to warn that protests of this scale risk inflaming division and undermining public safety.