Police have been granted extra powers to block movement in the centre of Sydney but are hopeful Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit can remain peaceful.
The NSW government has approved special event public safety arrangements to bolster the number of officers deployed during Mr Herzog's visit, which begins on Monday.
Thousands of demonstrators are set to defy protest restrictions and arrest when they rally against the contentious visit after failing to reach an agreement with police.
"The Palestinian Action Group proposes a rally from Town Hall through the streets of the Sydney CBD," Commissioner Mal Lanyon told reporters on Saturday.
"That route is unauthorised."
Rallies have been organised in all state capitals ahead of Mr Herzog's five-day tour, with Sydney his first stop.
Protesters and human rights experts have called for his invitation to be rescinded, citing his culpability in Israel’s bombardment and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.
Mr Herzog has previously said Palestinians bore collective blame for the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
A United Nations Human Rights Council commission of inquiry in September found the statement might reasonably have been interpreted as inciting genocide.
The president has denied the claim and said his comments were taken out of context.
NSW Premier Chris Minns says the visit holds deep significance for the Jewish community of NSW as it continues to mourn and recover from the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on December 14.
To help manage crowd safety, Mr Herzog's arrival in Sydney has been formally declared a major event.
Mr Minns said the arrangements were not a ban on protests or marches and people retained the right to express their views lawfully.
However, any risk of conflict, violence or public disorder would not be tolerated.
“We cannot allow a situation where mourners and protesters come into close contact on city streets without strong police presence," Mr Minns told reporters on Saturday.
“This is about keeping people safe, lowering the temperature and ensuring Sydney remains calm and orderly.”
Anyone who fails to comply with lawful police directions could face penalties, including fines of up to $5500 or exclusion from the major event area.
“We expect people to follow police directions and if someone chooses to break the law or ignore police instructions, police will respond," Police Minister Yasmin Catley said.
Asked whether increasing police powers to crack down on protesters could inflame tensions, Mr Minns said the measures were designed to prevent violent clashes.
"During ... 200 (previous) Palestinian Action Group protests, several people have been detained and arrested by NSW Police who were counter-demonstrators," he said.
"That's not because the NSW Police are picking one side or another but they were fearful of a clash - in this case, a clash against protesters."
Government backbenchers Sarah Kaine and Stephen Lawrence have said they will join the protests on Monday.
