Stop fuelling antisemitism! Jewish groups want Herzog to stay away
Jewish organizations are calling on the Government to cancel its invitation to Israeli President Isaac Herzog because of the risk of provoking mass protests and fueling antisemitism.
Following the Bondi massacre, Prime Minister Albanese publicly and officially invited President Herzog to visit Australia. A letter signed by 11 groups, 9 of whom were Jewish, called on the Governor-General and the Prime Minister to rescind the invitation.
Letter written by Jewish Voices of Inner SydneyIt touches on Herzog’s comments encouraging collective punishment of the people of Gaza and his complicity in Israel’s military aggression against civilians. They say that by publicly hosting this head of state, the government risks provoking mass protests involving significant numbers of Jews.
It exacerbates antisemitism by implicitly associating the Jewish people with alleged war crimes.
Jennifer Weinstein of Jewish Advocates for Understanding Antisemitism said:
“Herzog publicly signed off on the artillery shells used to disintegrate children in Gaza. He does not represent all Jewish people in Australia. Facilitating this visit does nothing to support the healing of Australia’s Jewish communities following the horrific massacre at Bondi.”
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Kim Wingerei is a businessman turned author and commentator. He is passionate about freedom of expression, human rights, democracy and the politics of change. Originally from Norway, Kim has lived in Australia for 30 years. Author of ‘Why Democracy is Broken – A Blueprint for Change’.
