Israeli president faces protests in final leg of controversial trip
There was a small clash outside the gates of Government House in Melbourne this morning between heavily armed police and a group of about 25 protesters who came from the roadside as Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived.
Herzog touched down in Melbourne this morning, the last stop of his controversial four-day visit to Australia.
At lunchtime he sped past protesters in a convoy from the airport and into the gates of Government House, where he will meet Governor Margaret Gardner and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan for lunch before attending a Jewish community event this afternoon.
On the Thursday morning before his arrival, the gardens around Government House were mostly quiet; Even as the police began to gather, gardeners were tending the flower beds and groups of bikes along the roadside leading to the gates.
The strange drone flew overhead, but there was no sign of police snipers on the surrounding rooftops or trees.
Later, around 11:00 am, protesters, some wearing police uniforms and others with black masks, emerged from the surrounding gardens.
A small contingent dressed in mock police uniforms shouted “We are ready to serve and protect war criminals” as they imitated the sudden march of police officers to send them back to the gardens.
Police established a lane to ensure the safety of the road without incident. However, when the sirens of Herzog’s convoy were heard, a group of men carrying signs reading “You can’t hide Herzog, you’re committing genocide” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” More protesters arrived, chanting slogans.
The protesters then walked away and the police withdrew.
Earlier, former Victorian prime minister John Brumby entered the gates of Government House on foot as a long queue of cars with dark-tinted windows filed through.
