Gaza-focused rallies and vigils planned on the anniversary of a terror attack against Israel should not go ahead for fear of potential unrest, authorities say.
The NSW Supreme Court will be asked to ban a rally set for Sunday and a vigil for Monday - the one-year anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attack - after police were not satisfied it could proceed safely.
Victorian authorities are trying to dissuade a similar pro-Palestine event in Melbourne.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed NSW Police, saying a protest shouldn't go ahead on the same day the Jewish community mourns the terror attack on its anniversary.
"It would be seen as incredibly provocative. It would not advance any cause. It would cause a great deal of distress," he said.
Anthony Albanese says the rallies would not advance any cause. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
Mr Albanese acknowledged peaceful protest was a part of democracy, but said October 7 marked one year since the largest number of Jewish people were murdered since the Holocaust.
About 1200 people were massacred by Hamas on October 7, according to Israel, while about 250 hostages were taken, with some still being held captive.
Its counter-attack in occupied Gaza has killed more than 41,000 people, according to Palestinian officials, with the majority of its more than two million residents facing starvation and being forced to relocate, some multiple times.
Israel has also heavily tightened its occupation of the West Bank, home to 3.3 million, the United Nations says.
Deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley said the intent to rally was "sickening".
"It's a vile reflection on the individuals concerned that they would choose to march on such an occasion," she told Sky News.
Sussan Ley labelled the planned rallies as vile. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
Rally organisers have said Monday's events are set to be vigils to remember the thousands of Gazans killed during what they claim is genocide.
NSW runs a protest permit system that, unless overturned in court, allows participants in planned events to disobey laws about blocking roads or tramways.
Victoria has no plans to introduce a similar system.
The Sydney rally organisers said police hadn't told them of a court challenge but described any bid to stop them marking "12 months of genocide" as "an attack on fundamental democratic rights."
"With Israel now escalating their war against Lebanon, the Palestine Action Group unequivocally opposes this attempt to silence protests calling for the Australian government to take action against Israel's genocidal war," a spokesperson said.
"We intend on defending our right to protest."
Authorities fear rallies on the October 7 anniversary will result in conflict. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
NSW Premier Chris Minns said police believed there were "high prospects" for conflict and illegal waving of flags for Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, as had happened at recent rallies in Sydney and Melbourne.
"This will be a difficult weekend for Sydney ... obviously, tempers remain high," he said.
But amid sustained criticism from some communities over government positions on Israel and Gaza, Mr Minns stressed many of those protesting in weekly rallies over the past year had been peaceful.
"Despite what some have said ... they haven't been attending these Palestinian marches because they're supporters of terrorist organisations," he said.
Senior Victorian minister Danny Pearson encouraged protesters to "think twice" about the planned Melbourne event on the eve of October 7.
"I don't think we want a situation where you've got that level of violence and hatred that we're seeing overseas resulting in violence and hatred coming to the streets of Melbourne," he said.
Victoria Police said Sunday's rally would be monitored with a focus on keeping the peace and ensuring public safety.
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