Rocks, Hockey Sticks Used During Israel-Hamas Clash in Sydney

Cars carrying Palestinian flags seen in the eastern suburbs of Sydney before an alleged verbal clash (credit: Australian Jewish Association)

Police have made an arrest following an alleged clash between teenagers at a service station over the Israel-Hamas conflict in Bondi, Sydney.

Rocks, smashed windows, and hockey sticks were seen in footage of the confrontation at a service station in North Bondi.

Footage showed a white sedan flying Palestinian flags driving through the eastern suburbs of Sydney, waving Palestinian flags.

A group of four teenagers, one carrying a Palestinian flag, are then seen arguing with a Jewish man on footage shared by Seven News.

The men were heard yelling at each other while confronting each other carrying hockey sticks at the Bondi petrol station.

Phrases including “one on one, let’s go,” “you see what’s happening in Gaza from us?” and “call the cops ... swing first” were heard among the group.

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Cars flying Palestinian flags in the eastern suburbs of Sydney (credit: Australian Jewish Association)

Images shared by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) showed cars driving with Palestinian flags in the eastern suburbs and a group talking to police at Bondi.

NSW Police say just after 10.10 p.m. on Nov. 15, a silver Toyota Corolla hatchback was travelling in North Bondi when it passed a white Mercedes sedan travelling in the opposite direction. 

The police say they have been told the hatchback conducted a U-turn before both cars came to a stop and the drivers had a verbal argument. A rock then smashed the side mirror of the hatchback, police say, and the driver drove to a service station nearby.

A short time later, the Mercedes sedan arrived, and the hatchback driver, 19, and teenagers aged 17 exited their vehicles and were involved in a “verbal altercation.”

Police who were patrolling the Bondi area arrived soon after and separated the groups. There were no injuries.

NSW police said a 19-year-old man was charged at home in Bondi on Nov. 16 and taken to Bondi police station. He was charged with “affray and use offensive implement with intent to commit indictable offence.” He was granted conditional bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on Dec. 12.

The four teens will be “dealt with in accordance with the Young Offenders Act,” NSW police said.

Police are seen talking to teenagers at a service station in an image shared by the Australian Jewish Association (credit: AJA)

Highly Visible Police Presence

Meanwhile, the NSW Police told The Epoch Times they are planning a “highly visible” presence in Sydney this weekend ahead of upcoming public assemblies.

“As part of Operation Shelter, police will conduct the operation to ensure the safety and security of all community members,” NSW Police said.

“The NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly, however, the first priority for NSW Police is always the safety and security of the wider community.”

On Nov. 11, pro-Palestinian activists entered the water on jet skis in an attempt to block an Israeli ship from reaching Port Botany.

Many were seen reading signs saying “free free Palestine,” and “block the boats” while flying Palestinian flags.