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In front of a substantial barricade erected on City Road, numerous police officers have gathered as security tightens for an event hosted by the Zionist Federation of Australia, which will feature a speech from the president.
This occasion marks the closing event of Herzog’s visit, described as “an afternoon of reflection, unity, and shared purpose.”
Attendees will include notable figures such as Premier Jacinta Allan, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, and survivors of the Bondi Terror attack, along with many members of the Victorian Jewish community.
Nearby, a small group of pro-Palestine demonstrators staged a protest at the blockade, with a few donning police officer attire and calling for Herzog’s arrest.
“We are seeing an international war criminal being shielded by our local officers, which is concerning,” one protester remarked.
The pro-Palestine group briefly interacted with a small number of counter-protesters waving Israeli flags, but the demonstration appears peaceful at this stage.
The president flew into a jet base in Tullamarine on an RAAF jet this morning ahead of a number of official engagements.
Escorted by a police convoy, Herzog arrived at Government House just before midday, where he met with Victoria’s Governor Margaret Gardner, as well as Premier Jacinta Allan.
Police quickly shut down a demonstration by a small group of protesters outside the grounds of Government House.
The dignitary’s exact movements while in Australia have been shrouded in secrecy due to safety concerns, which were today escalated after offensive graffiti was discovered at a university campus.
The words “Death To Herzog + Israel + Oz” were scrawled across the University of Melbourne’s Parkville Campus in black spray paint alongside an inverted triangle – a symbol commonly used by pro-Palestine protesters and Hamas militia.
“It’s absolutely contemptible because we all want peace to come and causing hurt and grief and violence like we’ve seen in Sydney, that does not bring peace,” Allan said of the graffiti.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court granted police special powers to search individuals and vehicles in the vicinity of the president and his convoy.
“Victoria Police has been granted those powers that afford us, in specified areas, to seek the identities of individuals passing through that location, to search individuals, to search vehicles, and to cordon off a particular area,” Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Bob Hill said yesterday.
“It’s specific to areas he will visit and it will not directly relate to or impact upon the lawful protest activity that may occur here in Melbourne tomorrow evening.”
Thousands of demonstrators are expected to take to the streets this evening in a major protest against Herzog’s “red carpet” tour.
“Tonight we’ll be protesting at Flinders Street Station at 5pm after four days of a war criminal touring our country, complete with a literal red carpet,” Students for Palestine’s Jasmine Duff said.
“How dare our politicians parade around this despicable war criminal who has presided over years of bombing hospitals and schools, massacring children, and wiping out entire family lines.”
Herzog strongly denies those claims.
The 2.5-hour rally is expected to kick off from the steps of Flinders Street Station at 5pm, before protesters march up Swanston Street to Parliament House. 
“Monday’s protest in Melbourne was largely peaceful and the majority of the crowd was well behaved. At this time, we are expecting Thursday’s protests to be the same,” Hill said.
“We respect the right of individuals to protest but only when it’s done lawfully and peacefully.
“Again, our number one aim is to ensure the safety of all involved and we will be working with all parties to make sure that’s the case.”
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