Former Greens candidate may lose her SIGHT after being struck in the face during a violent anti-Israel protest
Hannah Thomas, 35, hospitalised after arrest at anti-Israel protest
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By NICK WILSON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
Published: 14:18 BST, 27 June 2025 | Updated: 14:47 BST, 27 June 2025
A former Greens candidate may lose sight in one eye after a violent incident at an anti-Israel protest in Sydney’s west which ended in her being arrested.
Hannah Thomas, 35, who recently ran in this year’s federal election against Anthony Albanese in the Sydney electorate of Grayndler, was photographed with a bruised and bloodied eye in Belmore on Friday morning.
She and about 50 others were protesting outside a Lakemba business which the Greens have accused of supplying materials used by the Israeli military.
The NSW Greens claim the business is ‘reportedly [being] involved in providing plating services for various parts used in F-35 jets’.
‘The State of Israel’s fleet of around 40 F-35 rely on the global supply chain and supplement supply from countries like Australia to continue the genocide against the Palestinian people,’ it said in a statement on Friday morning.
Police issued a move-on direction to the group at about 5.35am on Friday to disrupt the alleged unauthorised protest.
Ms Thomas allegedly refused to comply with the order and sustained facial injuries when she was arrested before being taken to Bankstown Hospital for treatment.
It is not clear exactly what caused Ms Thomas’ injuries but doctors are reportedly fearing she may not regain sight in her right eye.
Former Greens candidate for Grayndler Hannah Thomas is pictured with a bruised and bloodied eye after being injured during an anti-Israel protest
Police have not charged Ms Thomas, who was taken to hospital following her arrest
Ms Thomas is a vocal critic of Israel’s activities in Gaza, having attended past anti-Israel rallies
Ms Thomas reportedly also underwent surgery on Friday afternoon.
One witness told the ABC Ms Thomas appeared to have suffered significant facial injuries.
‘I looked over to my right and saw a young woman with blood gushing out of the right side of her face, her right eye completely closed,’ Mr Schofield said.
‘She had clearly been struck with significant force.’
The Greens meanwhile have said they have spoken with lawyers to potentially represent Ms Thomas and the other protesters who were arrested during the incident.
Ms Thomas has attended anti-Israel protests in the past, having called on Australia to impose sanctions on Israel, whose government she accused of genocide.
She was among dozens of demonstrators who descended on Albanese’s electorate office to demand action after Greta Thunberg’s ‘Freedom Flotilla’ was seized by Israeli defence forces earlier this month.
A spokesperson for NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia Ms Thomas had not been charged following the incident.
Ms Thomas reportedly also underwent surgery on Friday afternoon
‘She sustained facial injuries while being arrested for allegedly failing to comply with a police direction and the arrest was discontinued and (she) was taken to Bankstown hospital for treatment,’ they said.
Four others were arrested and charged during the protest, including a 24-year-old man who was allegedly found in possession of a stolen police body-worn camera.
Police said the camera was stolen by an unknown protester during a scuffle and was tracked to the 24-year-old’s location.
Greens MP Sue Higginson described the actions of police as ‘brutal and excessive’, before calling on NSW Premier Chris Minns to take accountability.
Three men aged between 24 and 41, and a 29-year-old woman were taken to Campsie Police Station following their arrests.
The 29-year-old woman was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction under part 14 while a 24-year-old man was charged with larceny and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.
The 41-year-old man was charged with use offensive language in/near public place/school and the 26-year-old man was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction under part 14 and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty.
All four were granted conditional bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday July 15.
Police said inquiries were ongoing.
SydneyIsraelAnthony Albanese
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Former Greens candidate may lose her SIGHT after being struck in the face during a violent anti-Israel protest