Australian Prime Minister Albanese Meets with Israeli President Herzog Amid Protests and Calls for Accountability
– Israeli President Isaac Herzog concluded meetings with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General Sam Mostyn in Canberra today, as protests continued over his visit and Australia signaled it is seeking charges related to the death of an Australian aid worker in Gaza.
The meetings took place against a backdrop of demonstrations, with hundreds gathering at Parliament House to protest Herzog’s presence. Some protesters carried Palestinian flags, according to the Associated Press. The protests reflect growing international scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and specifically, the death of an Australian citizen.
Prime Minister Albanese used the meeting to press Herzog on the need for transparency surrounding the death of Zomi Frankcom, an Australian aid worker who was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in 2024. “Australia wants transparency over Zomi Frankcom’s death,” Albanese reportedly told Herzog, according to The Guardian.
Australia is now seeking charges over the 2024 airstrike that resulted in Frankcom’s death. The move signals a significant escalation in Australia’s response to the conflict and its willingness to hold Israel accountable for civilian casualties.
Herzog’s visit has been met with widespread opposition, with a United Nations Commission of Inquiry accusing him of “direct and public incitement to commit genocide” in Gaza. This accusation has fueled the protests across Australia.
Concerns over security have led to increased measures during the visit. Snipers and security personnel were deployed in Canberra, and in Melbourne, Victoria Police were granted special powers under terrorism legislation to prepare for Herzog’s arrival, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill stated there was no specific intelligence suggesting a threat, but the powers were sought as a preventative measure.
However, a planned visit by Herzog to the site of the 1988 firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne was cancelled due to safety concerns and logistical challenges, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The decision was made in consultation with Victoria Police.
Meanwhile, New South Wales police are facing scrutiny over their handling of protests in Sydney. Human Rights Watch has alleged that police used “apparent excessive force” against protesters during a rally on February 9, 2026. Video footage shows officers punching protesters on the ground, violently dispersing those kneeling in prayer, and using pepper spray, according to Human Rights Watch. The organization is calling for an investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.
A 16-year-old protester reportedly sustained injuries during the Sydney demonstration, with the mother alleging a “deliberate attack” by police, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
During a visit to the Chabad of Bondi in Sydney on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Herzog questioned why protesters were not demonstrating against Iran, as reported by Sky News Australia on Facebook. This statement underscores the tensions surrounding his visit and the differing perspectives on the conflict in the Middle East.
Despite the protests and calls for accountability, Herzog and Albanese reaffirmed their commitment to addressing shared concerns, including the situation in the Middle East and the need to combat antisemitism. The Australian Prime Minister and the Israeli President also discussed Iran, and were united in their views, according to The Australian.
