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In response to the attack, the state of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, passed legislation<\/a> allowing police to restrict public protests for up to three months. Authorities have invoked these powers in parts of central Sydney during Herzog\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n But the Palestine Action Group plans to hold a protest at Sydney\u2019s Town Hall on Monday, according to the ABC News broadcaster.<\/p>\n Organisers of the protest said they plan to walk from Town Hall to Macquarie Street despite the route falling within the restriction zone as the state government urged them to choose a different location.<\/p>\n Similar protests are planned Monday in other Australian cities, including Perth, Melbourne and the capital, Canberra.<\/p>\n The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN), a national coalition for Palestinian human rights, said the Israeli president should not be welcomed and he must be held \u201caccountable\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIsaac Herzog is not a ceremonial guest. He is the head of state of a government carrying out genocide in Gaza, enforcing occupation, and maintaining apartheid over Palestinians. His rhetoric was cited by the International Court of Justice in assessing the risk of genocide,\u201d APAN posted on X.<\/p>\n Rights group Amnesty International\u2019s Australia chapter also urged people to take to the streets on Monday when Herzog arrives, citing his role in Israel\u2019s genocidal war in Gaza.<\/p>\n \u201cPresident Herzog has unleashed immense suffering on Palestinians in Gaza for over two years \u2013 brazenly and with total impunity,\u201d it said. \u201cWelcoming President Herzog as an official guest undermines Australia\u2019s commitment to accountability and justice. We cannot remain silent.\u201d<\/p>\n The progressive Jewish Council of Australia also opposed Herzog\u2019s visit, saying, \u201cWe refuse to let our grief for the Bondi massacre be used to legitimise\u201d the Israeli leader.<\/p>\n Last week, a coalition of civil society groups lodged a legal complaint that urged authorities to deny Herzog a visa and open a criminal investigation under Australian law.<\/p>\n Australian human rights lawyer Chris Sidoti, a member of a United Nations inquiry into rights abuses in Israel and Palestinian territory, called for Herzog\u2019s arrest<\/a>. But the Australian Federal Police ruled it out with officials citing the Israeli president\u2019s \u201cfull immunity\u201d on civil and criminal matters, including genocide.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged the protesters to respect the solemn nature of Herzog\u2019s trip.<\/p>\n \u201cPresident Herzog is coming particularly to engage with members of the Jewish community who are grieving the loss of 15 innocent lives,\u201d Albanese told reporters. \u201cThe nation needs to look towards uniting.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-02-01T053607Z_1676185485_RC22AJAE94E4_RTRMADP_3_AUSTRALIA-PROTEST-1770539080.jpg\")
People protest against Herzog\u2019s visit to Australia at Sydney\u2019s Hyde Park on February 1, 2026 [Flavio Brancaleone\/Reuters]<\/p>\n