Police on alert as Israeli leader faces more protests
The Israeli president is expected to face another day of protests as his controversial visit to Australia draws to a close.
Isaac Herzog will be closely guarded by police given special search powers as he arrives in Melbourne for a jam-packed day with senior politicians and community leaders.
More than 5,000 people are expected to attend a planned protest in the city’s central business district, putting police on alert.
The demonstration against Mr Herzog’s visit at Flinders Street Station is expected to remain peaceful, according to police, who said there was no specific threat to the president.
“We want to be clear that there is currently no intelligence that the incident was the target of any specific threat,” Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said.
Before the visit, police were given special powers under the terrorism law, which allow officers to stop and search vehicles or people in public places, seize property and detain people as a preventive measure.
The powers apply to specific areas that Mr Herzog will attend while in Melbourne.
Mr Herzog was invited to Australia by the federal government after the Bondi terror attack but faced a hostile response from protesters and some politicians over Israel’s actions in Gaza.
At least nine people have been charged and 27 arrested after protesters were punched and pushed by police when an anti-Herzog rally turned violent in Sydney’s CBD on Monday.
Labor Friends of Palestine Victoria committee member Kate Shuttleworth called for a peaceful protest in Melbourne over the careful use of increased search powers.
He said in a statement: “The scenes in Sydney were very distressing. Among those being pushed, punched and subjected to force were rank-and-file members of the Labor Party. We do not want to see this repeated in Victoria.”
“We want tranquility, restraint and the protection of democratic rights. Peaceful protest is not a threat to Victoria, it is part of who we are.”
The president’s movements during his visit were kept largely secret.
Mr Herzog met with survivors of the Bondi attack in Sydney before being hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra.
The four-day trip was welcomed by members of the Jewish community in Melbourne, which has been shaken by several anti-Semitic attacks, including a firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in 2024.
“It’s a comfortable feeling,” Adass board member Abe Weiszberger told AAP.
“Bondi is probably when the volcano erupted. We’ve been seeing the volcano bubbling for two or three years.”
Mr. Weiszberger said the visit was important to the community and helped restore a sense of belonging.
“It gives you some comfort in this sea of uncertainty and not knowing what the next move is going to be,” he said.
The Israeli president described his four-day visit to Australia as very emotional and said it was important to visit the community and offer his condolences.
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