The visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia is facing political and human rights controversy, as the government announced on Thursday its adherence to his invitation despite calls for his arrest. This coincides with a visit he is making to honor the victims of the shooting incident in Bondi Beach, at a time when activists have called for protests.

Published on: 05/02/2026 - 08:22 Last updated: 05/02/2026 - 08:22

The Australian government on Thursday did not accept calls to arrest Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his visit to condole the victims of the mass shooting on Bondi Beach.

It is noteworthy that Herzog is on a four-day visit to Australia, starting Monday with a meeting with the Jewish community, after the December 14 attack that targeted a celebration of the Jewish Festival of Lights (Hanukkah) in Sydney, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people.

Read also: Australia: A national day of mourning for the victims of the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney

A 2025 investigation by an independent UN commission confirmed that Herzog "incited the commission of genocide" by saying that all Palestinians, "an entire nation," were responsible for the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

For its part, Israel "categorically" rejected the investigation, describing it as "distorted and false."

"He should be arrested if he shows up," said Chris Sidoti, a human rights lawyer and member of the United Nations' independent international commission of inquiry that looks into human rights violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Sidoti publicly called for withdrawing the invitation to visit Herzog, or arresting him immediately upon his arrival.

He stated that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had made a "huge mistake" by inviting Herzog. He added, "It was a wrong decision, and it must be canceled before it is too late."

In response to a question about the call to arrest Herzog, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that the government called for him based on the desire of the Jewish community.

"President Herzog was invited to Australia to honor the victims of Bondi and provide support to the Australian Jewish community following the worst terrorist and anti-Semitic attack we have ever seen on Australian soil," she added.

Pro-Palestinian activists have called for protests across the country against Herzog's visit, including in Sydney, where police refused to allow demonstrations under new powers granted to them after the Bondi attack.

On Thursday, the Australian Federal Police announced that a 19-year-old man from Sydney had been charged with threatening to kill via the Internet, after he was accused of making a death threat to the head of a foreign country.

Police declined to confirm local media reports that Herzog was the target.

France 24/AFP

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