Israeli president to arrive in Sydney; Palestine Action Group launch last-minute challenge to ‘extraordinary’ police powers

In an interview with my colleagues Peter Hartcher and Matthew Knott, published earlier this week, Herzog said he hoped his visit to Australia would help rekindle the historically close bonds between the two countries after years of tension and that it would offer solace to Jewish Australians mourning the victims of the Bondi terror attack.

Herzog said he was aware that his visit was opposed by many Australians angry at Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, but he rejected accusations that he had encouraged the killing of innocent civilians in controversial remarks made in the days following the October 7 attacks of 2023.

He said he hoped that his four-day trip would help Australians better understand Israel’s perspective on its fight against the hardline Islamic regime in Iran and terror groups it sponsors, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, while highlighting the need to tackle the rise of antisemitism in Australia and globally.

“I think it’s about time that the good relations between Israel and Australia will flourish and not be taken hostage by radical forces in Australia who have been undermining these relations,” he said in an interview with this masthead before his departure.

“I’m here to express a message of bipartisanship and friendship, and find a way to reignite this passion and love between our nations.”

Herzog is head of state, with no role in policymaking, and likens himself to Australia’s governor-general. A former leader of the Israeli Labor Party, he has known Anthony Albanese for decades and is the son of former president Chaim Herzog, who in 1986 became the first sitting Israeli leader to visit Australia.

Read more from Knott and Hartcher interview here.