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Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to commence his visit to Australia amid a backdrop of national protests and calls for his arrest. The visit comes in the wake of the recent terror attack at Bondi.
Herzog’s official tour begins in Sydney on Monday, following an invitation extended by the Albanese government. This visit was arranged in light of the attack that occurred on December 14, targeting a Jewish Hanukkah celebration.
Reports indicate that the attackers, identified as a father and son duo, allegedly claimed the lives of 15 individuals and injured over 40 others. Authorities are currently exploring the possibility that the perpetrators were influenced by the ideology of the self-proclaimed Islamic State.
During his stay, Herzog is expected to engage with political figures and leaders from the Jewish community, many of whom believe his presence will offer significant solace during these trying times.
However, not all are welcoming Herzog’s visit. Several groups have expressed strong opposition, urging federal police to launch an investigation into allegations of war crimes against the Israeli president.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, but Herzog is not — and is granted customary immunity under international law as a visiting head of state.
Rallies organised nationwide
Protests have been organised across the country against Herzog’s visit, where the prosecution of the new hate speech laws could be carried out.
NSW Premier Chris Minn’s formally declared his visit a major event, granting police extra powers to block movement in the city centre.
But protest organisers Palestine Action Group (PAG) have flagged an urgent NSW Supreme Court challenge arguing the powers are excessive, unjustified and unlawful. The hearing is scheduled before Justice Robertson Wright on Monday morning — hours before the rally is due to take place.
“Instead of defending human rights, the NSW government is using emergency-style powers to shield a visiting head of state from public scrutiny and accountability,” PAG spokesman Josh Lees said.
Police have been negotiating with the protesters, asking them to alter their route outside a restricted zone through the heart of Sydney.
The protesters have denied the request and insist they will gather at Sydney Town Hall before marching to NSW parliament.
For the NSW government’s special event, public-safety arrangements will bolster the number of police deployed during Herzog’s visit, while anyone who fails to comply with directions will face penalties — which include fines of up to $5,500.
The Israeli president’s role is largely ceremonial
Herzog holds a largely ceremonial role as his nation’s head of state, and will not address the federal parliament during his visit, the government has confirmed.
Nevertheless, Herzog sparked outrage in 2023 for being photographed signing an Israeli artillery shell.
He later said the munition was a smokescreen rather than an explosive device, but described the signing as an error.
A United Nations inquiry found his comments after the Hamas terror attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 — in which he described Palestinians as an “entire nation out there that is responsible” — to reasonably be interpreted as incitement for genocide.
Israel has repeatedly denied allegations of genocide and Herzog subsequently clarified his remarks, which he said were taken out of context.
The Israeli president has defended his Australian visit from criticism, saying his visit is important to the Australian Jewish community reeling from the attack.
Mixed feelings about visit in the Jewish community
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said Herzog’s visit would “lift the spirits of a pained community”.
“We hope it will lead to a much-needed recalibration of bilateral relations between two historic allies,” he said.
“President Herzog is a patriot and a person of dignity and compassion and holds an office that is above party politics.”
Judith Treanor, from Jews Against the Occupation ’48 Australia, said the visit told the world that “genocide is compatible with Jewish identity”.
“There are Jews who support Israel and Jews who don’t … Herzog must be investigated, (he’s) not welcomed here,” she said.
The Jewish Council of Australia launched a major advertising campaign on Monday, printing a public letter condemning the visit — signed by more than 1,000 Jewish Australians.
“We refuse to let our collective grief be used to legitimise a leader whose rhetoric has been part of inciting a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and has contributed to the illegal annexation of the West Bank,” executive officer Sarah Schwartz said on Monday.
Pro-Palestinian slogans may be outlawed in Queensland
Meanwhile, in a nation-first move that forms part of sweeping laws to target antisemitism, a controversial slogan calling for Palestinian liberation is set to be outlawed in Queensland.
Queensland would become the first state to expressly ban the use of the phrase “from the river to the sea”, which has been widely adopted by pro-Palestinian supporters, should its parliament pass newly proposed legislation.
The slogan “globalise the intifada” will also become a proscribed phrase under the proposed laws, leaving anyone displaying or uttering the words liable for a maximum two-year prison sentence.
Queenslanders who display hate symbols, recite terrorist slogans, harass or cause damage at a place of worship could face up to seven years in prison under the planned changes.
The legislation, due to be introduced to parliament in the coming week, follows the state’s rejection of a proposed federal gun buyback scheme following the Bondi terror attack.
NSW is also looking to outlaw the “intifada” call, but is yet to legislate the move.
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