NSW premier ordered to court over Herzog rally policing

Premier and ministers subpoenaed

NSW premier Chris Minns, police minister Yasmin Catley and tourism minister Steve Kamper have been subpoenaed to give evidence about planning the police operation for the Herzog protest.

Seventeen protesters charged

Seventeen protesters were charged with offences including resisting arrest, failing to comply with police direction and assaulting police at the February 2026 rally against Israeli president Isaac Herzog's visit.

Defence argues operation was unlawful

Lawyer Nick Hanna said the defence would argue the police operation was unlawful and that Minns had openly admitted his government was involved in operational police decisions about the protest.

“If police were carrying out the decisions of the Minns government, our clients are entitled to know what those decisions were, who made them and why.”

Expanded police powers used

Police were given expanded powers under the Major Events Act, typically used for sporting events. The unusual use for Herzog's visit was approved by tourism minister Steve Kamper.

Premier defended police actions

After the protest, Minns told reporters the police were doing what the government asked them to do: keep people of NSW safe and protect mourners at the ICC.

“We can't blame the police for doing what we asked them to do, and that is to keep the people of NSW safe, protect mourners who were down at the ICC on that evening.”

Lecc inquiry finds limited violence

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission inquiry into police brutality allegations heard evidence showing limited physical violence by protesters. The protest was largely peaceful early on.

“The evidence was far from complete but so far it showed limited evidence of physical violence on the part of the protesters.”

Hearings scheduled for March 2027

The pre-trial hearing is scheduled for March 2027, the week before the state election. The joint hearing for the seventeen protesters is scheduled for July 2027.