Police used pepper spray on protesters in Sydney and Melbourne during rallies against a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

In Sydney, New South Wales police sprayed a crowd after protesters tried to march in defiance of state laws. A Labor Party backbencher who attended the Sydney event claimed he saw officers punching people and throwing one person to the ground.

Thousands of people also gathered to protest in Melbourne, where Victoria police appeared to use pepper spray on at least one person. Herzog responded to the demonstrations by stating he arrived with goodwill, adding that such protests undermine his country's right to exist.