Thousands of protesters gathered in Melbourne on , marking the final day of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s four-day visit to Australia, a trip shadowed by widespread demonstrations. Earlier protests took place in Canberra and Sydney, reflecting deep divisions within Australian society regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The visit was prompted by an invitation from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the December 14 shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, which claimed the lives of 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl. The attack, intended as a gesture of solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community, has instead ignited a wave of protests accusing Herzog of complicity in civilian deaths in Gaza.
Greg Hunt, a participant in the Melbourne demonstration, articulated the sentiment of many protesters, questioning the appropriateness of Herzog’s presence as a source of comfort to the Jewish community. “I understand the idea of offering comfort to the Israeli people after the atrocity they suffered at Bondi,” Hunt said, “but that doesn’t justify inviting someone who, as I’ve written here on the placard, put his signature on a bomb that was dropped on Gazans. That is totally unacceptable. [Albanese] should have been more sensible. He really should have been.”
The protests highlight a growing tension between Australia’s desire to support its Jewish community in the wake of the Bondi Beach shooting and concerns over the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza. The United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry last year found Herzog liable for prosecution for inciting genocide, alleging he held all Palestinians responsible for the Hamas attack on Israel. Israel has vehemently rejected the inquiry’s report, dismissing it as “distorted and false” and calling for the commission’s abolition.
Demonstrations in Sydney, held on , saw a heavy police presence and the use of pepper spray to disperse protesters. The Palestine Action Group organized the rally despite recently implemented restrictions on public protest, introduced by the New South Wales government after the Bondi Beach shooting. These new “major event” powers grant police the authority to shut down areas, search individuals, and impose fines of up to $5,500 AUD (approximately $3,862 USD) for non-compliance.
Protesters carried signs with slogans such as “I’m not anti-Semitic, I am anti-genocide” and “Arrest Herzog.” As the rally concluded and protesters attempted to march, tensions escalated, leading to confrontations with police and the deployment of pepper spray. A similar, though less reported, protest also took place in Melbourne.
The timing of Herzog’s visit is particularly sensitive. The December 14 shooting at Bondi Beach, a horrific event that shocked Australia, prompted an outpouring of grief and solidarity with the Jewish community. However, it also created a political and social environment where expressions of support for Israel are met with increased scrutiny and opposition, particularly from pro-Palestinian groups.
Australia has been grappling with how to balance its commitment to both communities. Prime Minister Albanese’s invitation to Herzog was intended as a gesture of support for the Jewish community, but it has inadvertently amplified calls for accountability regarding the situation in Gaza. The new protest laws, while intended to maintain public order, have been criticized by civil liberties groups as overly restrictive and infringing on the right to peaceful assembly.
The protests underscore the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. The conflict in Gaza continues to be a deeply divisive issue globally, and Australia is not immune to the tensions. Herzog’s visit has served as a focal point for these tensions, bringing them to the forefront of public debate and forcing the Australian government to navigate a delicate balancing act.
While Herzog’s primary purpose was to offer condolences and support to the Australian Jewish community, his visit has inadvertently become a platform for expressing dissent and raising awareness about the plight of Palestinians. The protests are likely to continue to shape the narrative surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Australia and beyond.
The long-term implications of Herzog’s visit remain to be seen. However, the trip has exposed deep divisions within Australian society and highlighted the challenges of navigating a complex and emotionally charged geopolitical landscape. The incident also raises questions about the role of international diplomacy in addressing sensitive conflicts and the potential for such visits to exacerbate existing tensions.
