Sydney, Australia – Protests erupted across Australia on Monday and Tuesday as Israeli President Isaac Herzog concluded a visit intended to express solidarity with the Jewish community following the December 14, 2025, attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. The visit, which began on , drew widespread opposition and demonstrations in multiple cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, and Perth.
The attack at Bondi Beach, carried out by two Islamic extremists, resulted in the deaths of 15 people. President Herzog’s visit was at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley, intended as a gesture of support for the grieving community. However, the invitation sparked immediate backlash from pro-Palestinian activists and some members of the Australian Labor Party, who called for the visit to be rescinded or for Herzog’s arrest upon arrival.
Demonstrations in Sydney turned particularly volatile on Monday, with seeing 27 arrests made by New South Wales Police. According to police reports, 10 of those arrested were accused of assaulting officers. Clashes broke out after authorities urged protesters to disperse. Protesters reportedly chanted slogans and attempted to march through the city center.
The protests are not simply a reaction to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, but rather a continuation of a broader, concerted effort to demonize and delegitimize Israel, according to observers. Critics argue that the demonstrations are designed to isolate Israel internationally and undermine its right to self-defense. The timing of the protests, following the horrific attack on the Jewish community in Sydney, has drawn particular condemnation.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong defended the visit in an interview with ABC radio, emphasizing that it was a direct response to a request from the Australian Jewish community. “We have the Australian Jewish community, who have been targeted in an overtly antisemitic terrorist attack. We have had 15 Australians die, we have families mourning, and this was a request from the Jewish community for President Herzog to visit,” Wong stated. Despite being a staunch critic of some Israeli policies, Wong underscored the importance of supporting the Jewish community in the wake of the tragedy.
President Herzog himself addressed the criticism during an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, dismissing accusations of inciting “genocide” as “another lie and another distortion of the facts.” He reiterated that the purpose of his visit was to offer condolences and support to the Jewish community in Australia, stating he came to “visit my sisters and brothers of the Jewish community to console and pay our respects to the grieving families and to the community.”
The protests highlight a growing trend of anti-Israel activism globally, often characterized by a rejection of Israel’s right to exist and a focus on delegitimization rather than constructive engagement. Critics point to a deliberate effort to create a climate of hostility towards Israel and Jews, which they argue contributed to the atmosphere that enabled the Bondi Beach attack. Naveed Akram, one of the perpetrators of the Bondi Beach shooting, had links to a pro-Islamic State network dating back to .
Beyond the immediate context of the Bondi Beach tragedy, the protests also reflect broader geopolitical tensions and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Activists have also been critical of Australia’s support for Israel, calling for a reassessment of the country’s foreign policy. However, organizers of the protests have faced criticism for failing to condemn the attack on Bondi Beach with sufficient force, and for focusing disproportionately on criticizing Israel.
The visit comes amid heightened global sensitivity to antisemitism and rising concerns about the safety and security of Jewish communities worldwide. The December 14th attack in Sydney served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of Jewish communities to extremist violence. The protests coinciding with President Herzog’s visit underscore the complex and often fraught relationship between Australia, Israel, and the broader international community.
While the protests have drawn attention to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the concerns of pro-Palestinian activists, they have also sparked a debate about the limits of free speech and the responsibility of individuals and organizations to condemn violence and hate speech. The Australian government faces the challenge of balancing the rights of protesters with the need to protect the Jewish community and maintain public order.
The events in Australia are likely to have repercussions beyond the country’s borders, potentially influencing the debate about Israel and antisemitism in other parts of the world. The international community will be watching closely to see how Australia responds to the challenges posed by the protests and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
