Ex-Greens Candidate Hospitalized After Israel Protest Arrest

Former Greens Candidate May Lose Sight in One Eye Following Sydney Protest

A former Greens candidate who challenged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may suffer permanent vision loss in one eye after sustaining injuries during a protest in Sydney on Friday morning. Hannah Thomas, 35, was reportedly hurt during a presentation in belmore, a suburb in the city’s southwest, sparking accusations of excessive force against New South Wales Police.

Protest Focused on Weapons Manufacturing

Approximately 60 protesters were blocking access to a business on Lakemba Street, wich authorities say supplies materials used in weapons production. NSW Police characterized the demonstration as “unauthorised” and stated that some participants disregarded directives to disperse, leading to multiple arrests. A police statement confirmed a “scuffle” broke out between officers and protesters, during which Thomas sustained facial injuries. Images circulating online show Thomas with a severely swollen and closed eye, and visible blood on her face.

Did you know?—Belmore, where the protest occurred, is a diverse suburb known for its vibrant multicultural community and bustling commercial area along Lakemba Street.

Serious Injury and Political Fallout

The extent of Thomas’s injuries is important. According to a New South Wales Greens MLC, “it was possible she may lose vision in that eye.” The Greens party has issued a strong condemnation of the police response, alleging a “violent attack and assault” on what they describe as a “peaceful” picket.Thomas was transported to Bankstown Hospital for treatment. The incident has garnered international attention, with reports appearing in Malaysian media due to Thomas’s father being the nation’s former attorney-general.

Reader question:—How do you think the international attention, stemming from Thomas’s family connection, might influence the inquiry into the incident?

Arrests and Charges

Five individuals were taken into custody following the protest. among those arrested was zack Schofield, a climate protester affiliated with Rising Tide. Another protester, 24, faces charges of larceny and possessing stolen goods, allegedly related to the removal of a police body camera. Additional charges included refusing to comply with police directions and hindering an officer in the execution of their duty. A 29-year-old woman was charged with refusing to comply with a direction under part 14, a 41-year-old man with using offensive language, and a 26-year-old man with both refusing a direction and resisting police. All five have been granted conditional bail and are scheduled to appear before Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Factory Linked to F-35 Jets

The Greens allege the targeted factory is involved in the manufacturing of components for F-35 jets, advanced fighter aircraft utilized by several countries, including Israel. Greens senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge questioned the deployment of police resources, stating, “When police are deployed to protect weapons companies instead of protecting the right to peaceful protest, we must ask whose interests they are really serving.”

The incident raises critical questions about the balance between law enforcement’s duty to maintain order and the fundamental right to peaceful protest, particularly when confronting issues of international arms manufacturing.