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More than a dozen people have been arrested and at least one police officer was left bloodied after violent clashes outside a naval weapons expo.
Hundreds rallied at Sydney’s Darling Harbour on Tuesday to protest the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition, a three-day event billed as the nation’s premier commercial maritime and naval defence forum.
Exhibitors include Israeli weapons manufacturers and other firms supplying that nation’s military.
An attempted blockade of the biennial event, organised by the Palestine Action Group, escalated tensions with police as the conflict ebbed and flowed throughout the five-hour protest.

Several altercations erupted, prompting police to use pepper spray and other measures to manage the situation.

Thirteen people were arrested, including two who were soon released without charge.
Police struggled to hold back the crowd as it surged about 8am before further clashes and more arrests about 11am as delegates inside prepared to hear from Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond.

Amidst the chaos, four individuals were seen on the ground, and one officer was observed with a bleeding face.

A protester washes his eyes out after being pepper sprayed by police

Officers resorted to pepper spray in their attempt to control the demonstrators. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

Police hold a metal barrier against a crowd of protesters holding Palestinian flags.

Riot police were stationed at the entrance to the expo at the International Convention Centre Sydney, positioned roughly 100 meters from the protest site.

Much of the protest focused on the NSW government’s role in hosting and sponsoring the expo amid the conflict in Gaza.

“Chris Minns, blood on your hands,” attendees chanted, referring to the NSW premier.
Addressing a report that export controls were tightened on Tuesday, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the only export licences being approved related to maintenance, upgrades or manufacture of Australian Defence Force equipment.

“We haven’t supplied ammunition or weapons to Israel over the last five years,” he told reporters.

“The only export licences that are being approved right now (are) for ADF equipment that is going to Israel for either repair or upgrade or manufacture to come to back to Australia.”
Minns told ABC radio he was unaware of the circumstances surrounding the protests and had no input into decisions regarding Australia’s relationships with foreign countries or arms manufacturers.

“They’re not selling nuclear weapons down at Darling Harbour this weekend,” he said.

The conference, focused on strength at sea, was important for a nation reliant on maritime trade and submarine cables, the chief of Navy told attendees.
“The reality we face is that you do not need to invade Australia to defeat Australia,” Vice Admiral Hammond said.

“To safeguard our nation’s security and prosperity at home, we must be strong at sea.”

Riot police officers stand in front of protesters at an attempted blockade

Riot police were called in as protesters pushed against barriers separating them from the expo. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

Protesters have vowed to rally each day of the expo.

Protesters lit multiple fires near the expo, blocked traffic and climbed on top of a truck.

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