Aboriginal Australians held a traditional smoke ceremony after accusing police of violence during a protest linked to Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia. The incident unfolded as demonstrators gathered near the rally, with some participants saying they were forcibly pushed back by officers.
One Aboriginal protester emotionally claimed, “They threw me into a horse,” alleging that mounted police made contact with them during the confrontation. Police have said they were acting to maintain public order, though footage circulating online has intensified debate over crowd control tactics.
The smoke ceremony that followed was described by elders as a cleansing ritual and a statement of cultural resilience in the face of what they called “disrespect and aggression.” Organisers framed the protest as both anti-violence and a call for recognition of Indigenous rights.
Herzog’s visit itself has been controversial, drawing pro- and anti-Israel demonstrations across major Australian cities. The clash adds a domestic dimension to tensions surrounding his trip, spotlighting policing, protest rights, and Indigenous voices.
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