19-Year-Old Arrested for Hezbollah Flag Display

A 19-year-old woman has been arrested in Sydney for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a pro-Palestine rally on October 1, 2024. She presented herself to Kogarah Police Station after a public appeal, and her arrest is part of Operation Shelter, aimed at ensuring community safety during protest activities. Premier Chris Minns supports police efforts to challenge upcoming pro-Palestine rallies, citing a 'high prospect of conflict' due to the recent escalation of violence related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The display of Hezbollah flags, which is prohibited in Australia as the group is designated a terrorist organization, has drawn condemnation from various political and community leaders. Thousands participated in the protests, sparked by heightened tensions following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Palestinian Action Group has criticized the police's actions as an infringement on democratic rights and plans to contest the rally bans.