MELBOURNE, Australia — Israeli President Isaac Herzog concluded a polarizing four-day state visit to Australia on Thursday, marking the first trip by an Israeli head of state in six years. The visit unfolded against a backdrop of dual purposes: offering solace to Sydney’s Jewish community following December’s antisemitic mass shooting while simultaneously drawing widespread protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Herzog’s itinerary included stops in Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne, where he faced persistent demonstrations from activists labeling him a war criminal. Under heightened police security in Melbourne, Herzog addressed a Jewish community gathering, stating, “We came here to be with you, to look you in the eye, to embrace, to remember and weep together.” He emphasized how the visit had left him “feeling empowered” despite the emotional toll, praising the resilience of Australian Jewish communities.
The Australian government maintained that the primary invitation extended to Herzog aimed to support a community still reeling from the December 14 Bondi Beach attack, where 15 festival attendees were killed in an assault allegedly inspired by Islamic State. Jeremy Leibler, President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, noted that Sydney’s Jewish community felt “extremely uplifted and seen” following Herzog’s visits, while appealing to protesters to consider the community’s trauma.
However, the visit exposed significant diplomatic tensions. Herzog told The Associated Press that another objective was to “reinvigorate bilateral relations” and counter “lies and misinformation” about Israel. This statement drew criticism from Australian human rights lawyer Chris Sidoti, who argued the visit had transformed into political propaganda rather than purely a mourning mission. Sidoti referenced a September UN Human Rights Council report that accused Herzog, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, of inciting genocide in Gaza.
Australia-Israel relations have been strained since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023, particularly after Australia’s decision to recognize Palestinian statehood six months ago. Herzog described his discussions with Australian leaders as conducted with “candor, open-mindedness and mutual respect,” characterizing them as “serious partners” willing to address antisemitism and misinformation.
Security concerns led to the cancellation of Herzog’s planned visit to the ruins of Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue, destroyed by arson in late 2024 in an attack Australia attributed to Iran. The visit concluded with the removal of anti-Herzog graffiti at Melbourne University, where administrators reaffirmed their stance against antisemitism.