Charges Dropped Against Injured Protesters Amid Sydney Anti-Israel Demonstrations

All charges against activist and former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas were dropped following her arrest at an anti-Israel protest in Sydney, where she sustained a serious eye injury allegedly caused by a police officer. Thomas plans to file civil proceedings against NSW Police for malicious prosecution, assault, and battery, while also seeking legal costs for the withdrawn criminal proceedings. The incident occurred outside SEC Plating, a company accused by protesters of supplying components for US fighter jets used by the Israeli Defense Forces, which the company denies. Despite the charges being dropped against Thomas, other protesters arrested during the same event still face legal action. NSW Police have initiated an internal review of the arrests, with external oversight by the police watchdog, although police officials have stated that bodycam footage showed no officer misconduct. Thomas criticized NSW's anti-protest laws for granting police broad powers and called for a comprehensive review of police conduct during the protest.