Massive Protests Across Australia Against Israeli President Herzog's Visit Over Gaza War

Last Updated:February 09, 2026, 16:42 IST

Protests erupted across Australia during Isaac Herzog's visit, as he honored Bondi Beach massacre victims. Pro-Palestine groups accused him of complicity in Gaza civilian deaths.

Protests were held across Australia on Monday against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit, who is on a multi-city trip to express solidarity with the country’s Jewish community following the deadly mass shooting last year.

Herzog is visiting Australia following an invitation from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after the December 14 shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15 people.

Israeli President’s visit this week has sparked ire among some people in Australia, who accuse him of being complicit in civilian deaths in Gaza. Several pro-Palestine groups staged protests across the country on Monday.

According to Reuters, thousands of people gathered in a square in Sydney’s central business district, listening to speeches and shouting pro-Palestine slogans.

“The Bondi massacre was terrible but from our Australian leadership there’s been no acknowledgment of the Palestinian people and the Gazans," said Jackson Elliott, a 30-year-old protestor from Sydney. “Herzog has dodged all the questions about the occupation and says this visit is about Australia and Israeli relations but he is complicit."

Also Read: Australia Toughens Hate Crime, Gun Laws After 15 Killed In Bondi Beach Attack

According to AFP, police deployed pepper spray and scuffled with protesters and members of the media, including AFP, with pepper spray as a pro-Palestinian rally attempted to leave a designated area. Several protesters were also arrested.

Meanwhile, members of Jewish community along with government officials and opposition party leaders welcomed Herzog at the event honouring Bondi attack victims.

“We all remember the boycotts, the threats, the colleagues who turned their backs on their Jewish friends … that was the prelude to Bondi," the Israeli President told a large crowd at Sydney’s International Convention Centre, according to an ABC News report.

Earlier in the day, he visited Bondi Beach to lay a wreath at a memorial for the victims of the attack. He also met survivors and the families of 15 people killed in the shooting.

“This was also an attack on all Australians. They attacked the values that our democracies treasure, the sanctity of human life, the freedom of religion, tolerance, dignity and respect," Herzog said in remarks at the site.

A Pakistani-origin father and son, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, allegedly attacked a Jewish Hanukkah celebration. At the Bondi Beach, an icon of Australia’s cultural life, people had gathered for the ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ event to celebrate the start of the eight-day Hanukkah, also spelt Chanukah, festival. The shooting sparked anger over the failure to shield Jewish Australians from harm.

Last month, both houses of Australia’s Parliament passed tougher hate crime and gun laws in the wake of the attack.

“The terrorists had hate in their hearts, but they also had high-powered rifles in their hands," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the lower house of parliament. “We’re taking action on both – tackling antisemitism, tackling hate, and getting dangerous guns off our streets."

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