Hopes pro-Palestine protests in Sydney and Melbourne will remain peaceful

More than 1000 police will be deployed at tense pro-Palestine rallies in Sydney and Melbourne with concerns about whether “extraordinary powers” will be used on protesters.

Hundreds of people are expected to gather in support of Palestinians under siege as Israel prepares for a ground invasion on north Gaza within hours.

They will be protesting despite calls for the rallies to be cancelled amid high tensions over the conflict, with NSW Premier Chris Minns and police urging Sydneysiders not to attend after anti-Semitic chants were heard at a previous rally.

Mr Minns had a grim warning for Sydneysiders if the scenes at the protest on Monday were repeated on the weekend.

“That would be ruinous for Sydney‘s sense of cohesion, our multicultural, multi-faith community, we couldn’t have those scenes again and police have got every right to protect and ensure that those scenes aren’t repeated over the weekend,” he said.

NSW Police will have the option of using “extraordinary powers” such as searching protesters without reason and demanding they identify themselves on request.

“We intend to search people that we believe are likely to protest or have shown an interest in protesting, based on the fact that weapons and flares, the experiences of Monday night,” acting commissioner David Hudson said.

Group organisers have put a list of demands on attendees in an attempt to avoid violence or anti-Semitism, including banning the use of flares, anti-Semitic chants and face coverings for non-religious purposes.

“We will not tolerate any person bringing flags or any items associated with Hezbollah or Hamas or any other item associated with designated terrorist organisations,” the group said in its list of requirements for protesters

“Having these flags in your possession is a criminal offence. You will be removed from the rally.”

Palestine Action Group also warned about inflammatory conduct from police and counter-protesters.

“There may be counter-protesters that show up at the rally with Israeli flags to provoke us. Do not under any circumstances approach them,” they wrote.

“We ask that you do not provoke police on the day, even if their conduct is inflammatory. This can lead to a quick escalation of violence that will put all protesters at risk.”

Peaceful protests were seen in Brisbane, Canberra and Perth on Friday night, giving hope that Sunday’s protests can go ahead without incident.