Sydney, Australia – Thousands of protesters clashed with police in Sydney and Melbourne on Monday as Israeli President Isaac Herzog began a four-day visit to Australia, prompted by the December 14th terrorist attack at Bondi Beach that claimed the lives of 15 people. The visit, intended as a show of solidarity with the Australian Jewish community, has instead ignited widespread demonstrations fueled by anger over Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Herzog arrived in Sydney on Sunday, , at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Governor-General. He began his visit by laying a wreath at Bondi Pavilion, the site of the Hanukkah event attack and meeting with families of the victims and survivors. “This was also an attack on all Australians,” Herzog stated at the site, adding that the attack targeted “the values that our democracies treasure, the sanctity of human life, the freedom of religion, tolerance, dignity and respect.” He also placed two stones from Jerusalem at a memorial outside the pavilion, a Jewish tradition representing remembrance and enduring connection.
However, Herzog’s presence has been met with fierce opposition. Protests erupted in Sydney’s central square, where demonstrators carried signs and chanted pro-Palestinian slogans. Police responded by deploying pepper spray and tear gas in an attempt to control the crowds, resulting in several arrests, according to Reuters news agency. Similar, though less volatile, protests were reported in Melbourne, where Herzog is scheduled to visit later this week.
The protests reflect a growing wave of discontent over Israel’s conduct in Gaza, with many accusing Herzog of being “complicit” in civilian deaths. Jackson Elliott, a 30-year-old protester in Sydney, told Reuters, “The Bondi massacre was terrible but from our Australian leadership there’s been no acknowledgment of the Palestinian people and the Gazans. Herzog has dodged all the questions about the occupation and says this visit is about Australia and Israeli relations but he is complicit.”
The Palestine Action Group, which organized the Sydney protest, had attempted to secure a court order to prevent restrictions on the demonstration but was unsuccessful. Authorities had invoked rarely used powers allowing them to separate and move crowds and restrict access to certain areas.
The visit comes amidst a complex diplomatic backdrop. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously criticized Albanese for Australia’s decision, four months prior to the Bondi attack, to recognize a Palestinian state, accusing the Australian leader of “pouring fuel on the antisemitic fire.” Albanese, in turn, has accused Netanyahu of being “in denial” regarding the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Gaza. This existing tension adds another layer to the sensitivity surrounding Herzog’s visit.
Not all members of the Australian Jewish community have welcomed Herzog’s trip. Over 1,000 Jewish Australian academics and community leaders signed an open letter, released on Monday, urging Albanese to rescind the invitation. The letter reflects a deep division within the community regarding the best path forward in addressing both antisemitism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
However, other Jewish groups have expressed support for the visit, viewing it as a crucial gesture of solidarity following the Bondi Beach attack. They believe Herzog’s presence will “lift the spirits of a pained community.” The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) welcomed Herzog’s visit as a moment of profound significance.
Herzog’s itinerary includes meetings with Prime Minister Albanese and a trip to Canberra, the Australian capital, before he departs for Israel on . The visit is taking place against a backdrop of heightened security concerns and a deeply polarized public debate, highlighting the challenges of navigating international diplomacy in the wake of global conflicts and rising antisemitism.
The Israeli President addressed a large crowd in Sydney on Monday evening, telling the event that antisemitism had been “festering” in Australia since the October 7th attack in Israel. He referenced incidents of boycotts, threats, and colleagues turning their backs on Jewish friends as precursors to the Bondi attack, stating, “It is not an isolated event… your Jewish identities became targets.” He also welcomed moves by state and federal governments to strengthen hate speech laws in the wake of the Bondi attack.
