In Sydney, Australia, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets Monday to protest a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog and calling for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

Protester: “He is, as most people are saying, a war criminal. He has incited genocide. He said there’s no innocents in Gaza, including babies and children. And I just don’t think someone like that should come here.”

Sydney police were widely accused of using excessive force after video showed they fired pepper spray at peaceful protesters, punched demonstrators, including an elderly man, and forcibly removed Muslims who were praying in the street. Dozens of people were pepper-sprayed, and 27 were arrested.