Jann Alhafny says she feared there could be a stampede or that she might suffocate after she was allegedly pushed to the ground

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A 69-year-old woman is recovering in hospital with four broken vertebrae after a police officer allegedly pushed her down “very violently” and “without warning” at Sydney’s protest against a visit by the Israeli president.

“I straight away knew I’d hurt my back,” Jann Alhafny told Guardian Australia over the phone from her hospital bed on Tuesday.