Israeli President Isaac Herzog has started his four-day official visit to Australia, laying a wreath outside Bondi Pavilion in tribute to the victims of the December terror attack.
Addressing the media, he condemned the spread of antisemitism as a “global emergency”, saying demonstrations planned against his visit aimed to delegitimise Israel.
The Albanese government invited Herzog following the shooting, arguing his visit was intended to foster a greater sense of unity, but the progressive Jewish Council of Australia published an open letter opposing Herzog’s visit.
The group said the letter had been signed by more than 1,000 Jewish Australian academics, legal professionals, artists and community leaders. Other Jewish groups welcomed Herzog’s visit. Alex Ryvchin, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive, said it would lift the spirits of the Jewish community.
In a statement published on the Human Rights Watch website, Adam Coogle, deputy director of its Middle East and North Africa division, said Albanese “should raise Israeli crimes” during Herzog’s visit.
Israel was accused of committing genocide in Gaza in a United Nations Commission of Inquiry report last year.
It denies the allegations.
SBS News is Australia’s trusted news source for the latest news from Australia and across the world.
Subscribe to the SBS News YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SBSNews
Follow SBS News on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbsnews_au
Follow SBS News on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbsnews_au
Follow SBS News on X: https://www.twitter.com/SBSNews
Follow SBS News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbsnews
Apple News: https://trib.al/MTx0gUe
For the latest news, visit www.sbs.com.au/news
Network Terms & Conditions: https://sbs.com.au/terms
Privacy Policy: https://sbs.com.au/privacy
Feedback or complaints: https://sbs.com.au/complaints
