Pro-Palestine protester moved on after yelling at Israeli President Isaac Herzog's motorcade in Bondi
A pro-Palestine protester who shouted as Israeli President Isaac Herzog departed Bondi was spoken to by police and ordered to move on under the major events declaration.
A man who yelled "free Palestine" and "shame" at Herzog's motorcade was briefly arrested at 12pm and then issued a move on direction by NSW Police – a directive which is being challenged in court ahead of a planned demonstration at 5.30pm.
The man, aged 24, complied with police orders.
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A protester speaks with police in Bondi. 9News
He told 9News that his protest was a "completely natural, human response" to Herzog's visit.
"My heart was racing walking down the road," he said.
"It goes without saying, I did not mean to upset anyone who is grieving."
He added that he did not want Herzog to feel welcome in Bondi.
Two other people holding placards at Bondi Pavillion were issued move on directions under the Summary Offences Act, which were complied with, NSW Police confirmed.
Herzog was in Bondi to pay tribute to the victims of the terror attack and praised the federal government's hate laws in a speech after his visit to the site.
Herzog said the December 14 massacre was an "attack on Australians" and that it was the same threat Israel has faced for years.
"They attacked the values that our democracies treasure. The sanctity of human life, the freedom of religion, tolerance, dignity and respect," Herzog said.
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Bondi. 9News
"This is how terror operates all around the world, and sadly, Israel has faced deadly threat of terror for many, many years."
The Israeli president named some of the 15 innocent people who lost their life in the shooting, including 10-year-old Matilda and 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman.
He also acknowledged the bravery on display during the attack, before speaking about the federal government's new hate laws.
"Suddenly, here on Bondi, surfboards became trenches and stretchers as extraordinary, ordinary people ran in to the danger and saved innocent lives," Herzog said.
"And in the aftermath of the attack, the people of Australia stood together in grief and solidarity with the Jewish community."
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A police motorcade accompanied Herzog to Bondi. 9News
A wreath laid at Bondi Pavilion. 9News
Herzog said he "welcomed" the Australian government's tranche of anti-hate speech laws in the wake of the Bondi shooting.
"Leaders across all sectors of society must speak out clearly and consistently against anti-semitism because silence in the face of hatred is complicity," Herzog added.
The president attended a wreath-laying ceremony outside Bondi Pavilion alongside NSW Premier Chris Minns before his speech, where he laid two stones from Jerusalem.
Herzog was accompanied by a police motorcade as he headed to Bondi.
Security measures for Herzog's visit
Extreme security measures, including rooftop snipers and thousands of police officers, have been deployed during Herzog's visit to Australia.
Herzog, who arrived in Sydney this morning, was whisked away from Sydney Airport by a heavily armed contingent of police and bodyguards as he kicked off his three-day visit to the NSW capital.
A massive police operation is underway across the city, with 3500 police officers on the ground and snipers stationed on the roof of Herzog's hotel.
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in Sydney this morning. Nine / Supplied
Police are bracing for huge protests against the Israeli president's state visit to Australia.
NSW Police have been granted special powers during Herzog's trip, which grants them extraordinary powers to move people along and establish an exclusion zone.
But pro-Palestinian activists, planning a major demonstration in Sydney against Herzog's visit will today launch a last-minute legal action today.
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Snipers on Herzog's hotel roof in Sydney. Nine
Another sniper seen on the roof. Nine
The proposed route of the pro-Palestine march planned for later today falls within the exclusion zone, which covers the CBD and Pyrmont to the eastern suburbs.
The Palestine Action Group (PAG) said up to 5000 people would march from Town Hall to state parliament to oppose the visit.
Police want the rally be confined to Hyde Park.
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Herzog arriving in Sydney. Facebook/Israel in Australia
Officers will also have the right to stop and search anyone or any vehicle without a warrant.
Failure to comply with lawful police direction could result in fines of up to $5500 or exclusion from the major event area.
Police said today they're hoping officers won't have to use any powers because they''ve been liaising closely with the protest organisers.
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrives in Sydney for the start of a three-day visit to Australia. Nine
The Sydney road closures planned for Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit. 9News
NSW Premier Chris Minns on Saturday urged protesters to remain "calm and respectful".
He also asked residents to avoid the CBD if they can and confirmed there would be a "massive" police presence.
"We can disagree without resorting to clashes or violence on Sydney streets," Minns said.
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