Australia police defend actions after violence at protest over Israeli president visit

Australian police have defended their actions after violently clashing with protesters during a demonstration against a visit by the Israeli president.

Video emerged of police charging and punching protesters during the rally in Sydney on Monday night, with a state parliament MP among those who said they were injured in the clashes. Police said 27 people were arrested, with nine later charged, and 10 officers assaulted.

Officers showed “remarkable restraint”, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Tuesday, adding they “did what they needed to do”.

Earlier, rally organisers had failed in their court bid to overturn police powers limiting their right to demonstrate during Isaac Herzog’s visit.