Nationwide protests erupt in Australia over Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit

Demonstrations have broken out across Australia as Israeli President Isaac Herzog begins an official visit, with thousands of protesters gathering in major cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Brisbane.

In Sydney, large crowds assembled at Town Hall, where demonstrators waved flags, held placards, and joined chants led by drummers. Police maintained a visible presence as tensions briefly flared when officers stopped and searched a protester dressed in black.

The incident prompted chants of “this is not a police state,” though the individual was quickly allowed to move on, and police did not explain the stop.

Herzog is visiting Australia following the December 14 Bondi Beach terror attack and was invited by the governor-general and prime minister to join the Jewish community in mourning the victims.

The mass shooting came as hundreds of people had gathered at Sydney’s Bondi Beach for an event called Chanukah by the Sea, celebrating the start of the Jewish festival.

At least 15 people were killed, and another 42 people were hospitalized, including two police officers.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the scenes at Bondi “shocking and distressing,” adding, “There is no place for this hate, violence, and terrorism in our nation.”

12 dead, dozens injured in mass shooting at Jewish event in Australia

The mass shooting came as hundreds of people had gathered at Sydney’s Bondi Beach for a Jewish event on Sunday.

While some speakers at rallies expressed solidarity with those affected by the attack, protesters said that Herzog was not an appropriate figure to promote unity.

In Sydney, police barriers were erected to control crowd numbers around Town Hall, triggering chants of “let them in” from demonstrators.

A separate group blocked Bathurst Street nearby, reducing traffic to a single lane and complicating access for people attempting to leave the area. An ambulance was later seen at the scene as police worked to manage crowd movement around the light rail.

In Canberra, about 500 people gathered at Garema Place, while in Melbourne, hundreds flooded the intersection outside Flinders Street Station, carrying Palestinian flags.

Chants calling for the arrest of the Israeli president were heard among large crowds in Sydney as police continued to restrict access to protest zones, with tensions remaining high throughout the day.

Israeli forces kill three Palestinians, including teen, in raids across Gaza Strip

Israeli forces have killed three Palestinians, including a 16-year-old, in Gaza, amid repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), and the Jewish Council of Australia have already filed a complaint with the Attorney General, the Minister for Home Affairs, and the Federal Police, urging authorities to deny Herzog a visa and open a criminal investigation under Australian law.

The complaint requests that Herzog be banned from entering the country and that an investigation be launched into his complicity in war crimes against Palestinians.

His publicly documented remarks, including hate speech and incitement to violence, have been cited as evidence.

Pro-Palestinian groups also say Herzog has downplayed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, despite UN findings confirming widespread starvation and civilian suffering.

Last year, Australia denied entry to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who advocated for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and labeled children in Gaza as “enemies.”

Since the Gaza ceasefire took effect in October last year, Palestinian authorities have documented hundreds of violations involving shootings, bombardment, and attacks on civilian infrastructure.

These violations have killed at least 580 Palestinians and wounded more than 1,500 others, while bodies continue to be recovered from areas previously unreachable.

Since its genocidal assault on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the occupying regime has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and wounded over 171,000, the majority women and children.

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