What to know about the Israeli president’s state visit to Australia

Israeli President’s Visit to Australia Sparks Controversy Amid Gaza Tensions

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has arrived in Australia for a four-day visit aimed at supporting the Jewish community still grieving from December’s deadly antisemitic attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. However, the visit comes amid unprecedented diplomatic tension between the two nations and has sparked controversy among critics who argue his presence may further divide rather than unite Australian society.

Herzog’s trip, which includes stops in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, marks the first visit by an Israeli head of state to Australia since Reuven Rivlin’s 2020 tour. The ceremonial leader follows in the footsteps of his father, Chaim Herzog, who visited Australia as Israel’s president in 1986.

The visit unfolds against a backdrop of strained bilateral relations. Hours after the December 14 attack that left 15 dead at Bondi Beach, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly criticized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, claiming that Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state “pours fuel on the antisemitic fire.”

This unprecedented public diplomatic clash saw Netanyahu accuse Albanese of being “a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews.” Albanese responded by suggesting Netanyahu was “in denial” about the humanitarian consequences in Gaza. The exchange shocked many observers, as it represented a dramatic departure from decades of friendly relations between the two nations.

Australian Jewish leaders have urged both governments to restore “diplomatic norms” and view Herzog’s visit as an opportunity to begin healing these rifts. Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, expressed hope that the president’s arrival would “lift the spirits of a pained community” and lead to a “much-needed recalibration of bilateral relations between two historic allies.”

Herzog himself has framed the visit as having dual purposes. “The primary reason for my trip is to stand with Australia’s Jewish community,” Herzog told The Associated Press. However, he acknowledged the diplomatic opportunity, adding that the visit offers “a chance to reignite the longstanding bipartisan support for ties between Israel and Australia” and to “dispel many of the lies and misinformation spread about Israel over the last two years.”

Critics, however, have demanded the withdrawal of Herzog’s invitation. Australian human rights lawyer Chris Sidoti called the visit a “crazy idea” that would “undermine social cohesion” rather than rebuild it. Sidoti, who served on a UN Human Rights Council inquiry that accused Herzog of inciting genocide in Gaza, has suggested the president could potentially face arrest under Australian law, though federal police have declined to comment on this possibility.

The controversy has extended into Australian politics, with some members of Albanese’s own Labor Party expressing discomfort with the visit. Ed Husic, a Muslim lawmaker and vocal critic of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, said he was “very uncomfortable” with Herzog’s arrival. Several state lawmakers have announced plans to join protests organized by pro-Palestinian groups.

Heightened security measures are in place, particularly in Sydney, where police have been granted enhanced powers to control protesters following the Bondi Beach attack. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns justified these measures, noting the challenge of managing “thousands of mourners and thousands of protesters as well as a visiting head of state all in the same city at the same time.”

For Australia’s Jewish community, which has reported increased antisemitism since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in 2023, Herzog’s visit represents an important gesture of solidarity. Ryvchin described the president as “a patriot and a person of dignity and compassion” who “holds an office that is above party politics.”

As Herzog begins his official engagements, the visit underscores the complex interplay between domestic politics, international relations, and community tensions that have emerged in many nations since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict. Whether the tour will help heal divisions or exacerbate them remains to be seen in the days ahead.