Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has arrived in Sydney to begin his official visit to Australia following the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Herzog was invited by the governor-general and prime minister to join the Jewish community grieving the loss of life in the 14 December massacre of mostly Jewish Australians at a Hanukkah event.
In a statement, Herzog said he would visit Jewish communities across Australia to “express solidarity and offer strength to the community in the aftermath of the attack”.
Herzog will attend major communal events with the leaders of the Australian Jewish community and meet with senior politicians.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the president’s visit “will lift the spirits of a pained community”.
“He is a person who has sadly had to comfort families, police and first responders after terrorist attacks many times, and will know how to reassure and fortify our community in its darkest time,” he said.
Mourners gather by floral tributes at the Bondi Pavillion in memory of the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach on 15 December.
Photo: AFP / Saeed Khan
Ryvchin said he was hopeful the visit would strengthen relations between Israel and Australia.
At the same time, over 1000 Jewish Australians signed an open letter saying Herzog was “not welcome here” with nationwide protests against the four-day visit and his role in the war in Gaza planned.
A UN Commission of Inquiry concluded Herzog was among Israeli leaders who incited the commission of genocide, and his comments are in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice.
The allegation of genocide is rejected by Israel and Mr Herzog maintains his comments have been taken out of context.
Police deployed for protests against visit
Protesters are due to gather at Sydney’s Town Hall this evening but police have been pushing for an alternative route.
More than 3000 NSW Police officers will be deployed throughout his visit, including 500 for a planned demonstration tonight.
The group made an eleventh-hour Supreme Court challenge to the government’s decision to designate it a “major event”, granting police special powers ahead of today’s protest against the visit.
The declaration provides police expanded powers to manage crowd safety, maintain separation between opposing groups and reduce the risk of confrontation.
Under the Major Events Act those who fail to comply with police directions could face fines of up to $5500.
The Palestine Action Group lodged submissions late on Sunday afternoon, arguing the declaration was “draconian” and imposed rules unsuitable for protest activity.
The matter will return to court on Monday.
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