Thousands attend ‘largely peaceful’ pro-Palestinian rallies across Australia

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered for rallies in Australian cities, with the events ending peacefully according to police.

Large crowds took over the streets of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide with a heavy police presence.

However, no arrests were made.

NSW Police assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke said over 6000 people gathered at the Sydney event.

Police had the option of seeking "extraordinary powers", after a rally outside the Opera House on Monday night.

"I am pleased to say that in the circumstances today people listened to ensure the behaviors that was seen last Monday, were not repeated," Cooke said,

"People listened to their own community."

Victoria Police said 10,000 people marched in Melbourne, with no arrests.

In Adelaide, a pro-Palestinian rally gathered in front of the State Parliament building.

Police escorted the crowd from North Terrace to Victoria square in Adelaide's CBD.

South Australia Police said the crowd behaved in a "safe, orderly and lawful manner."

Another event was held in Brisbane.

Earlier, NSW Premier Chris Minns pleaded for calm at the Sydney rally, warning any kind of vilification or violence would not be tolerated.

NSW Police Acting Commissioner David Hudson had backed police using the powers, which were first used during the 2005 Cronulla riots.

"I can indicate that the powers we are considering authorising will include any person who attends Hyde Park with the intention to assemble, and perhaps protest, will be subject to searching powers where we don't need reasonable cause to search," he said.

"We will also be demanding that they provide us with their identity and if they fail to do so it is an offence.

"These are extraordinary powers."

Originally planned as a march from Town Hall in Sydney, that event was changed to a "static rally" after organisers failed to submit a form for the protest, which needed to be lodged seven days in advance.

The organisers had condemned the anti semitic demonstrations seen earlier this week, saying they were carried out by a tiny minority of marchers.

Palestine Action Group Sydney said anyone planning a similar display would not be welcome at its rally.

Former NSW police officer Peter Moroney told Weekend Today that it would be a "big logistical effort" for police.

"One of the main concerns is public safety. As we know and as we saw this week, these things can go from reasonably peaceful (but) can explode quickly and rapidly," he said.

"The main concern for police today is ensure that whoever attends, attends for the right reasons and sticks within the parameters of what we would expect decent behaviour."

Officers were able to stop and search attendees and take down their names and address under the powers.