Australia is bracing for widespread protests as Israeli President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to begin a five-day visit on . The visit, initially prompted by the tragic shooting at Bondi Beach in December, has become a focal point of controversy amid accusations against Israel regarding its conduct in Gaza.
The invitation extended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the attack – in which 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration – was intended as a gesture of solidarity with the Australian Jewish community and a demonstration of unity against antisemitism. However, it has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian groups and some within the Jewish community itself, who allege that Herzog has incited genocide.
According to a report by an independent UN committee in 2025, Herzog allegedly “incited genocide” by stating that all Palestinians were responsible for the Hamas attack on Israel. Israel has vehemently rejected the findings of the report, dismissing it as “distorted and false.”
Chris Sidoti, a human rights lawyer and member of the UN’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission concerning human rights in Israel and the Palestinian territories, has publicly called for Herzog’s invitation to be withdrawn or for his arrest upon arrival. “He should be arrested if he comes,” Sidoti stated, as reported by multiple sources.
Prime Minister Albanese, however, has defended the invitation, arguing We see necessary to “build social cohesion” and foster “a greater sense of unity” following the Bondi attack. The visit is also supported by key Jewish organizations including the Zionist Federation of Australia, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), and the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC). AIJAC executive director Colin Rubenstein stated the visit was “a powerful message of solidarity and support” for the Australian Jewish community, particularly after the surge in antisemitism.
Despite these endorsements, protests are planned across the country. Demonstrators filled Hyde Park North in Sydney on , signaling a growing wave of opposition. Authorities in Sydney have reportedly restricted planned demonstrations, citing new powers granted following the Bondi shooting.
The controversy extends beyond planned demonstrations. Australian police have charged a 19-year-old from Sydney with making online threats against a foreign head of state last month. While police have not officially named the target, Australian media widely reports the threats were directed at President Herzog. The offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has stated the government invited Herzog at the request of the Jewish community and rejected calls for his arrest. She emphasized that Herzog was invited “to honour the victims of Bondi and to provide support to the Australian Jewish community following the worst terrorist and antisemitic attack we have seen on Australian soil.”
The planned protests highlight the deep divisions within Australia regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing situation in Gaza. Activists supporting the Palestinian cause are organizing demonstrations nationwide, including in Sydney, despite the restrictions imposed by police. The visit is occurring against a backdrop of international scrutiny of Israel’s actions, with some groups accusing the country of genocide – allegations Israel consistently denies.
The timing of Herzog’s visit is particularly sensitive, coming after a United Nations Human Rights Council finding that he incited genocide. This finding, while rejected by Israel, has fueled the calls for his arrest and intensified the protests planned across Australia. The situation underscores the complex geopolitical challenges facing Australia as it navigates its relationship with Israel and addresses concerns within its own population regarding the conflict in Gaza.
