The violence at the protest on Gadigal Country against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog reflects a deeper political failure — where authority suppresses dissent rather than confronting uncomfortable truths about Gaza, protest rights and democratic responsibility.

NSW Police’s explanations of violence at Sydney Town Hall on February 9 make out they were only trying to maintain public safety, through various professional measures. This is false. Behind the extensive police powers to control and suppress protest lies a cancerous-like cowardice, facilitated by a cornered prime minister and by an Israeli-sympathising and authoritarian NSW premier.

Cowardice can be nurtured by pleasure in dominating, fear of losing control, being frightened to face truths and deceits in pretending that all is well when it manifestly is not.

Restricting protests to stifle concern about genocide in Gaza and slaughter in the West Bank, or the PM asking the public to “turn the........

© Green Left Weekly