Respect for Jewish grief urged ahead of Herzog’s visit

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those opposed to Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia should remember that it was in response to the anti-Semitic terror attack in Bondi.

Rallies have been held in capital cities ahead of Mr Herzog’s visit, which begins on Monday, and police in Sydney have vowed to crack down on unauthorized protests.

Mr. Albanese said he and Mr. Herzog would meet families of Bondi massacre victims during the five-day tour.

“I hope that people are respectful of the fact that it’s a difficult time for the Bondi community, especially from the Chabad community there,” he said at a news conference in Perth on Saturday.

Mr Herzog also defended the tour, saying his visit was important for Australia’s Jewish community, which has been shaken by the attack.

Protesters and human rights experts have called for Mr. Herzog’s invitation to be rescinded, arguing that Israel is guilty of starving and bombarding Palestinians in Gaza.

“We cannot allow Herzog’s propaganda tour against the State of Israel to continue. We cannot allow genocide to be normalized,” said Josh Lees of the Palestine Action Group.

Mr. Herzog had previously said that Palestinians bore collective guilt for Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and later clarified his words.

The United Nations Human Rights Council commission of inquiry in September found that this statement could reasonably be interpreted as incitement to genocide.

The NSW government has approved special event public safety regulations to increase the number of police deployed during Mr Herzog’s visit.

Those who do not comply with police instructions will face penalties, including fines of up to $5,500.

The protest march in the city was declared an unauthorized route from Sydney City Hall, but some members of parliament called on police to allow the rally to continue.