Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken with Israeli President Isaac Herzog following the Bondi terror attack, with the governor-general set to issue an official invitation for the leader to visit Australia.
The leaders spoke on the phone on Tuesday, nine days after the shooting at Bondi Beach which targeted a Hanukkah festival and resulted in the deaths of 15 innocent people and one of the two alleged shooters.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said a wave of antisemitism was plaguing Australian society.Credit: Getty Images
Both leaders discussed their shock at the attack, and offered their condolences to the families of victims.
Albanese informed Herzog that Governor-General Sam Mostyn will soon issue an invitation in accordance with protocol for the Israeli president to visit Australia as soon as possible. Herzog has confirmed he will accept the invitation. A similar invitation was offered from the head of the Zionist Federation of Australia.
It is understood that Herzog spoke to the importance of taking all legal measures to combat antisemitism, extremism and terror in Australia.
Loading
Speaking from Jerusalem a week after the attack, Herzog said to Jewish Australians: “The people of Israel are with you. Despite thousands of miles between us, we feel your pain, we see your courage under fire, we share your sense of abandonment, shock, and horror.
“Here in Jerusalem, we heard your hearts break, and felt our own hearts steeped with grief. We send our sincerest condolences to all those grieving their loved ones, and our warmest wishes for the speedy recovery of all those wounded.”
Shortly after the attacks on December 14, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu layed blame for the shooting on Albanese and Labor’s response to antisemitism since October 7, 2023, and at the recognition of a Palestinian state earlier this year.
