Sydney authorities have confirmed that anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups will be permitted to join Australia Day demonstrations in parts of the city on January 26 after police eased restrictions that had been imposed in the wake of a recent terrorist attack.

The New South Wales Police Force extended but narrowed the area covered by its protest control order, enabling rallies originating from Hyde Park and other designated zones, police said on Sunday.

Under the revised measures, both Indigenous “Invasion Day” protests, which focus on First Nations grievances about colonisation and deaths in custody, and nationalist marches advocating varied political causes, are slated to proceed in central Sydney and selected precincts.

Organisers associated with pro-Palestinian movements — including the Palestine Action Group and allied collectives — have encouraged supporters to participate in the scheduled rallies, framing their engagement as opposition to perceived racial injustice and solidarity with Palestinians.

In recent months, Australia has seen significant demonstrations in support of Gaza, and Sydney in particular was the site of large marches that drew tens of thousands of participants in 2025. Police and local officials stress that all gatherings must adhere to public safety requirements and that any unlawful conduct will prompt enforcement action.

The protest landscape this Australia Day is set against a broader backdrop of evolving public assembly laws in New South Wales.

Following the December terror attack at a Chanukah event in Sydney, authorities introduced enhanced powers to manage demonstrations, initially restricting protests across wide metropolitan sectors.

The adjustment announced this weekend scales back certain prohibitions, permitting authorised rallies at Hyde Park and other areas that had previously been off-limits.

Police emphasised their commitment to balancing the right to free expression with community safety, particularly given the emotionally charged context of recent events.

Indigenous activists have long used January 26 to highlight historical injustices and to call for structural reforms, a tradition rooted in decades of activism.

Their rallies typically centre on themes of sovereignty, recognition and social equity, reflecting ongoing national debate about Australia Day’s meaning and Inclusivity.

The decision to allow anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian participation alongside these protests reflects complex intersections of local and international political causes, and authorities are preparing for significant turnout and heightened media attention.

Police said they will deploy additional officers to manage crowd movements and ensure that all demonstrations remain peaceful, underscoring that disruptive or violent conduct will not be tolerated.

As Sydney heads into the national holiday, the convergence of Indigenous and international issues at public gatherings will be a key focus for both organisers and law enforcement.