As protesters against the visit of Israel’s President Isaac Herzog rallied a few blocks away at Town Hall, thousands of Israel supporters filtered into an undisclosed central Sydney venue to hear the president speak.
Premier Chris Minns arrived at the 9000-seat venue about 7pm. Many of the attendees wore yarmulkes, and a few carried Israeli flags or wore them as capes.
Attendees passed through a series of security cordons, including identity checks and bag searches by sniffer dogs.
Police marksmen were on the building’s roof, and officers wearing military camouflage were stationed in vehicles with tinted bulletproof glass parked in surrounding streets.
President Isaac Herzog and first lady Michal Herzog are attending the event, hosted by the Zionist Federation of Australia.
“The event will bring together community members, leaders and dignitaries for an evening of reflection, unity and shared purpose,” organisers said in a statement.
“It will honour victims and families, acknowledge the broader impact on the community, and reaffirm shared values of resilience and democratic principles.”
The venue’s stage features a large blue Star of David and the flags of Australia and Israel.
