A former Greens candidate has been hospitalised after being injured during an arrest at a pro-Palestinian protest.
The incident occurred outside SEC Plating in Belmore in Sydney’s south-west on Friday morning.
The protesters allege the company supplies components used by the class of jets which are flown by the Israeli Defence Force.
NSW Police attempted to move the group on, claiming the action was unauthorised.
“During the 35-year-old woman’s arrest, she sustained facial injuries and was taken to Bankstown Hospital for treatment,” police said in a statement.
NSW Police said a woman sustained facial injuries during an arrest at a protest in south-west Sydney on Friday. (Supplied)
The woman has been identified as Hannah Thomas, who challenged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the federal seat of Grayndler at the election earlier this year.
A video filmed by one of the protesters shows a scuffle between police and some of the attendees.
Some of the protesters can be heard saying “let go of her”.
A woman in a black coat is then led away from the group and falls to the ground with a police officer.
Police can be heard saying “get up now”, and the woman can be heard replying: “I’m trying”.
A photo from after the incident appears to show Ms Thomas standing beside an officer with a swollen eye.
The woman injured has been identified as Hannah Thomas. (Supplied: Facebook)
Witness saw woman’s right eye ‘completely closed’
A protester who witnessed the incident spoke to ABC News on the condition of anonymity.
The witness said they saw Ms Thomas being tripped to the ground, and that she was struck in the face when officers attempted to get her to her feet.
“Several officers came over and in an attempt to help carry the individual away … that is when the strike occurred,”
the attendee said.
“It was very clearly a strike to the eye.”
The protest was outside a company attendees allege supplies components to jets flown by the Israeli Defence Force. (Supplied)
Another attendee, Zack Schofield, said he saw her face after the incident.
“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.”
Police have told ABC News the incident is not being formally investigated as a critical incident, but will be recorded and reviewed as is standard practice for any use of force.
“At this stage no issues have been identified, and no complaints have been received regarding the Belmore protests,” a police spokesperson said.
No charges have been laid against Ms Thomas.
SEC Plating has also been contacted to respond to allegations it supplies components used by the Israeli military.
The ABC understands Ms Thomas was scheduled for surgery this afternoon.
It’s believed doctors have been investigating whether her injuries could threaten her vision, and if she has any broken bones in her face.
Greens parliamentarians show support
Senator Mehreen Faruqi says Ms Thomas has her full support. (ABC News: Billy Cooper)
Federal Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi said she’d been assisting Ms Thomas.
“Hannah’s health is my top priority,” Ms Faruqi said
“It is devastating that police would bring violence against a non-violent protest for peace, but not surprising.
“Once she is able to consider next steps, she has my full support in responding to this shocking assault and seeking accountability.”
NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson issued a statement, alongside federal MP David Shoebridge.
“I have spoken with the people in police custody this morning, in my legal capacity, and they cannot believe what they saw happen to the individual who has sustained serious injury as a result of the excessive police force,” Ms Higginson said.
Police said four others were arrested at the protest, including a 24-year-old man who they allege temporarily stole a police body worn camera.
They were taken to Campsie Police Station where they were charged with a range of offences and granted conditional bail.
The four charged are due to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday, July 15.