Israeli president Isaac Herzog invited to visit Australia after Bondi shooting
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken to Israeli President Isaac Herzog following the Bondi terror attack and the governor-general is set to issue a formal invitation for the leader to visit Australia.
The leaders spoke by phone on Tuesday, nine days after the Bondi Beach shooting targeted the Hanukkah festival, killing 15 innocent people and one of two alleged attackers.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog says a wave of antisemitism is roiling Australian society.Credit: Getty Images
Both leaders expressed their shock at the attack and expressed their condolences to the families of the victims.
Albanese informed Herzog that Governor-General Sam Mostyn would issue an invitation, in accordance with protocol, for the Israeli president to visit Australia as soon as possible. Herzog confirmed that he would accept the invitation. A similar invitation came from the president of the Australian Zionist Federation.
It is understood that Herzog touched upon the importance of taking all legal measures to combat antisemitism, extremism and terrorism in Australia.
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Speaking from Jerusalem a week after the attack, Herzog told Australian Jews: “The people of Israel are with you. Despite the thousands of kilometers between us, we feel your pain, we see your courage under fire, we share your sense of abandonment, shock and horror.”
“We heard that you were heartbroken here in Jerusalem, and we felt our own hearts filled with pain. We offer our sincerest condolences to all those who suffered the loss of their loved ones, and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured.”
Shortly after the December 14 attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the attacks on Albanese and the Labor Party’s response to antisemitism since October 7, 2023, and the recognition of the Palestinian state earlier this year.
