Sydney is bracing for widespread protests as Israeli President Isaac Herzog begins a four-day visit to Australia on Sunday, February 8th, at the invitation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The visit, occurring after a terror attack in Bondi Beach late last year, has ignited strong reactions, particularly within the Palestinian Australian community.
Protests are planned across the country, with demonstrators expressing outrage over Herzog’s past statements and actions. Students for Palestine National Convenor Jasmine Duff told 7NEWS.com.au that the visit amounts to welcoming a “war criminal with open arms.” Protesters intend to display images of Palestinian children killed, schools and hospitals damaged, and journalists targeted during the conflict in Gaza.
The backlash stems from a United Nations Human Rights Council inquiry which found Herzog had “incited the commission of genocide” in Gaza. The council’s findings centered on comments made by the Israeli president following the October 7th terror attacks, where he stated that “an entire nation is responsible.” Herzog has maintained that his remarks were taken out of context, clarifying that he also emphasized respect for international law and the avoidance of civilian casualties.
The Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) has joined Australian and Palestinian lawyers in requesting the Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigate Herzog upon his arrival. Rawan Arraf, ACIJ executive director, argued that, given the government’s efforts to criminalize hate speech, someone “alleged to have incited hate to commit the ultimate crime, genocide,” should not be permitted entry without facing accountability.
For many Palestinian Australians, Herzog’s visit is a deeply painful event. Shamikh Badra, who has been sharing his family’s story at rallies, believes his brother, sister-in-law, and their four children are buried under the rubble of their home in Gaza. He described the situation as “genocide in real life” and questioned the rationale behind welcoming someone who defends policies he believes led to such devastation.
Raneem Emad, a Palestinian Australian, expressed that Herzog’s visit felt like “a slap in the face.” She highlighted the grief and anger felt by many in the community, particularly those who have lost loved ones in Gaza. Emad emphasized that being Palestinian with heritage in Gaza is a significant part of her identity and that the visit diminishes the sense of unity the Australian government claims to seek.
Concerns are also growing that new anti-protest and hate speech laws are unfairly targeting Palestinian Australians. The Greens have warned that the government’s new hate speech laws could be used to prosecute critics of Israel’s government. A NSW parliamentary inquiry is considering banning the phrase “globalise the intifada” when used to incite hatred or violence.
Badra, who has participated in numerous protests since October 7th, 2023, including after the death of his father in Gaza and a verbal assault he experienced on a Sydney train, urged the police and the New South Wales government to allow peaceful protests. He emphasized that the movement opposes all forms of racism and antisemitism and is simply protesting against what they believe is a genocide.
The Palestine Action Group has launched a legal challenge against the new anti-protest laws in New South Wales. Josh Lees, a representative of the group, expressed concern that the Bondi tragedy is being used as a pretext to silence the movement. He stated that the group is simply trying to protest against a genocide and feels unfairly targeted.
Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, asserted that Australia’s political elite is “siding with genocide” by welcoming Herzog. He called on all Australians who believe in democracy, human rights, and free speech to protest the visit.
