Hundreds protest Israeli PM in Sydney

About 650 pro-Palestine protesters have gathered in Sydney to condemn Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he makes a historic visit to Australia.

A police helicopter hovered overhead and about 80 officers were on the ground as protesters marched through the city centre from Town Hall on Thursday evening.

They chanted "Israel, USA, how many kids have you killed today", and carried signs describing Mr Netanyahu as a fascist and a war criminal.

Hilal Asmar, a Palestinian living in Sydney, told AAP it was unfair that Mr Netanyahu had received such a warm welcome from Australian politicians, when back home he was under investigation for corruption.

There were moments of tension during the demonstration and officers from the riot squad quickly removed a man who approached the crowd yelling "long live Israel".