Israeli President Isaac Herzog began a four-day visit to Australia on Monday, expressing solidarity with the Jewish community following the December antisemitic attack in Bondi, Sydney. Herzog stated, “when one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain,” as he met with community members and the families of the 15 victims.
Herzog’s Visit and Expressions of Solidarity
Upon arrival in Sydney, Herzog laid a wreath at the site of the attack alongside New South Wales Premier Chris Minns. He and his wife, Michal Herzog, also placed two stones from Jerusalem at a memorial outside the Bondi Pavilion, symbolizing “the endurance of memory, the weight of loss and the unbreakable bond between the living and those we have lost.”
Herzog is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Governor General Sam Mostyn, and other political leaders during his visit, which will also include stops in Canberra and Melbourne. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) welcomed the visit, with co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin stating it would “lift the spirits of a pained community” and potentially “lead to a much-needed recalibration of bilateral relations.”
Controversy and Protests
Herzog’s visit has not been without controversy. More than 600 members of the Jewish community signed a letter published Monday stating he was not welcome in Australia, and took out full-page ads in the Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers. The Jewish Council of Australia, which organized the ads, has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government.
Some have called for Herzog’s arrest, referencing a finding by a UN commission – which does not speak on behalf of the UN – that he, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and then defense minister Yoav Gallant, “have incited the commission of genocide.” Herzog has dismissed this as a “form of blood libel.”
A supreme court hearing was scheduled on Monday to determine whether a “major event” designation would remain in place for a planned march by the Palestine Action Group against the visit. NSW Premier Chris Minns called for calm, expressing concern about potential conflict on Sydney streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia?
The stated purpose of Isaac Herzog’s visit was to support the Jewish community following the Bondi terror attack and to speak with survivors and the victims’ families.
Who did Herzog meet with upon his arrival in Sydney?
Herzog met with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and laid a wreath at the site of the attack.
Was Herzog’s visit universally welcomed in Australia?
No, more than 600 members of the Jewish community signed a letter stating he was not welcome, and protests were planned against his visit.
As Herzog continues his visit, it remains to be seen how the various planned engagements will unfold and whether the tensions surrounding his presence will escalate or subside.
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