The New South Wales Police Commissioner’s office was concerned the government’s plan to beam the Israeli flag colours onto the Opera House might escalate “current tensions”, police documents reveal.
Key points:
- The documents were ordered by the NSW Legislative Council
- The “urgent threat assessment” was ordered a day before the pro-Palestinian protest outside the Opera House
- The NSW government is investigating if the police concerns were passed onto them
Pro-Palestinian protesters marched from Sydney CBD to the Opera House steps earlier in the month as the landmark was lit up in blue and white in solidarity with Jewish communities.
Footage shows some attendees chanting anti-Semitic slogans and setting off flares, while the government and police are accused of warning the Jewish community to stay home.
Organisers of the event said the minority of hostile individuals did not represent the peaceful pro-Palestinian movement.
The night before the Opera House was due to be lit-up, Police Commissioner Karen Webb’s chief of staff, Christine McDonald, sent an email.
It asked for an “urgent threat assessment” about the impact of the decision, according to documents ordered by the NSW Legislative Council.
The email was sent “in confidence” and copied in Acting Police Commissioner David Hudson.
Ms McDonald wrote they were both “equally concerned at the impact this might have on our streets, and potential further escalation of current tensions in the Jewish/Israel communities”.
“Can we please request an urgent threat assessment on what the impact/risk of lighting the sails at 7pm tomorrow evening may mean?”
The message was also sent to Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook and Detective Sergeant Benjamin Whitmore.
Fourteen minutes later, Detective Sergent Whitmore replied that he had just seen the decision reported in the media.
“The news just reported the sails would light up tomorrow night so cats out the bag there,” he said.
The ABC understands Premier Chris Minns’ office is investigating whether any of these concerns were passed on to the government.
Assistant Commissioner Cook indicated in a text message to another colleague that senior police intended to raise the concerns.
“…[Acting Commissioner Hudson] will need to speak to the minister about any increased tensions in the community this action may cause,” he wrote.
Other emails show police became aware on Monday October 9 that the pro-Palestinian protest group was set to march to the Opera House that night.
Another email between police officers stated a Palestinian protester they had spoken to said his community was “incensed” by the decision to light the sails in blue and white.
Mr Minns’ office has been contacted for comment.