NSW Police Investigate Daylight Assault on Pro-Palestine Volunteer in Sydney

NSW Police are investigating a daylight attack on a BDS Australia volunteer in Merrylands, Sydney, after video showed a man pushing a campaigner into a garden bed.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 9:57 AM EDT

Source: news.com.au

Violent Confrontation in Sydney’s West

A disturbing video has surfaced detailing a physical altercation in the Sydney suburb of Merrylands, prompting immediate police intervention. The footage shows a volunteer for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Australia movement standing on a public street with a sandwich board displaying the Palestinian flag. An unidentified man in a grey hoodie approached the campaigner twice, questioning if he intended to continue his activities. Upon receiving an affirmative response, the man lunged at the sign and engaged in a physical struggle with the volunteer.

Unprovoked Physical Attack Captured on Camera

The escalation turned violent as the assailant forcefully pushed the 29-year-old volunteer, causing him to tumble backwards into a nearby garden bed. The filmer of the incident intervened to shoo the attacker away, who then proceeded to walk across the street. As the man departed, the volunteer shouted the controversial slogan "From the river to the sea," a phrase that has sparked significant debate across Australia and is currently banned in Queensland due to its perception by some as anti-semitic.

Official Police Response and Ongoing Investigation

Cumberland Police Area Command confirmed they were notified of the incident at approximately 2:40 pm on Saturday. A police spokesperson stated that the investigation is active and they are currently seeking to identify and speak with the man involved in the footage. While the confrontation was physical, authorities confirmed there were no reports of significant injuries sustained by the victim. As of April 2, 2026, no arrests have been made and no formal charges have been laid against the unidentified individual.