NSW forges ahead with tough new laws to rein in guns, protests amid resistance from pro-Palestinian groups

NSW is pushing ahead with tough new laws prompted by the Bondi Beach massacre to restrict rallies following terrorism events amid vows of defiance from pro-Palestinian protesters.

About 200 people attended a pro-Palestine rally in Sydney late on Monday to oppose the proposals, which are expected to pass State Parliament with the Opposition’s support.

Parliament has been recalled to pass the measures, as well as laws capping gun ownership at four firearms and limiting ammunition capacity, following the mass shooting nine days ago that killed 15 people and wounded dozens.

Premier Chris Minns said on Monday the “extraordinary” measures were necessary to restore a sense of safety after the shooting, which targeted those attending a seaside celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light.

“We can’t pretend that the world is the same as it was before that terrorist incident on Sunday,” he said.

“My Government’s number one priority is to keep the people of NSW safe and that means making these changes.”

He said politics should be put aside to deliver “the toughest firearm reforms in the country” to safeguard the community.

Under the protest proposal, authorities could restrict gatherings under a 14-day “Public Assembly Restriction Declaration” that could be extended for up to three months.

The moves come after Mr Minns blamed pro-Palestine protests for sowing anti-Semitic rhetoric, which he said could develop into violence by “unleashing forces that the organisers of the protests can’t control”.

Monday’s rally in central Sydney took place under a heavy police presence as attendees waved Palestinian flags and placards, including one that read “Globalise the Intifada, Intifada means uprising”.

Mr Minns has pledged to ban the phrase “globalise the intifada” as part of a clampdown on slogans the Government says are hateful.

Protest organiser Adam Adelpour, of activist group Stop The War on Palestine, said attendees gathered to “grieve in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi, to stand in solidarity”.

“We’re also here to oppose the attempts to exploit this tragedy to attack our freedoms and silence criticism of Israel’s crimes.”

He said he was willing to defy future Government restrictions on protests, describing himself as “committed to continuing to protest”.

Pro-Palestine protesters have rejected any link between peaceful demonstrations criticising Israel and the Bondi attack - Australia’s deadliest shooting in almost 30 years.

Alleged gunman Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, who was also shot by police, has been charged with murder and terrorism offences.

Authorities believe the pair were inspired by militant Sunni Muslim group Islamic State and say flags bearing its insignia were found in a car the two took to Bondi.