Sarah Mouhanna, 19, has been charged after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a pro-Palestine and Lebanon rally in Sydney’s CBD.
As part of Operation Shelter, NSW Police launched a public appeal that led to Mouhanna turning herself today. She was charged with displaying a symbol of a prohibited terrorist organisation and granted bail ahead of her court appearance on October 23.
The protest, attended by thousands, was part of a broader movement supporting Palestine and Lebanon amidst rising violence. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has been listed as a terrorist group in Australia since 2021, and the display of its symbols is illegal under Commonwealth law.
Operation Shelter was established in 2023 to monitor protest activity related to the Israel-Gaza conflict and to ensure public safety. The protest in Sydney came after heightened tensions between Israel and Lebanon, where Israeli retaliatory strikes have killed more than 1,000 people. Several demonstrations have taken place across Australia in response, with Victoria Police referring cases involving prohibited symbols at Melbourne protests to the Australian Federal Police.
NSW Police have also moved to block two upcoming rallies scheduled for October 6 and 7, citing concerns about public safety. These demonstrations will mark the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to the deaths of over 1,200 civilians and sparked an ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza.
As investigations under Operation Shelter continue, NSW Police urge anyone with relevant information to contact Crime Stoppers. 1800 333000
Would that the Victorian police would get on with policing in the same way.