Activists Pledge Nationwide Protests due to Israeli President’s Australia Trip
Herzog is due to arrive in Sydney on Monday, the same day activists plan to gather for a protest at Town Hall. Organizers confirmed their intention to proceed with the demonstration as scheduled.
In anticipation of the visit, authorities in New South Wales have expanded police powers, while Premier Chris Minns has publicly urged restraint and calm.
Protest organizers said they intend to march from Town Hall to Macquarie Street, even though the planned route falls within an officially restricted zone. State officials have encouraged the group to relocate the protest to an alternative area.
Beyond Sydney, demonstrations are planned in 24 cities nationwide on Feb. 9, including Canberra, Perth and Melbourne, all opposing Herzog’s visit.
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN), a nationwide coalition advocating for Palestinian rights, said the Israeli president should not be received by Australian leaders and must be held “accountable.”
"Isaac Herzog is not a ceremonial guest. He is the head of state of a government carrying out genocide in Gaza, enforcing occupation, and maintaining apartheid over Palestinians. His rhetoric was cited by the International Court of Justice in assessing the risk of genocide," APAN said on the US social media platform X.
According to reports, a coalition of civil society organizations last week submitted a legal complaint calling on authorities to deny Herzog entry and to initiate a criminal investigation under Australian law.
Earlier, well-known Australian legal and human rights advocates also called on federal police to examine Herzog’s statements for possible incitement to genocide ahead of his arrival.
Herzog is expected to arrive in Australia on Feb. 8 for a four-day visit. He was invited by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the Bondi Beach attack in December, which left 15 people dead and 42 injured.
Last year, a UN Human Rights Council special commission investigating the war in Gaza concluded that Israel was committing genocide and cited remarks made by Herzog after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack as evidence of genocidal intent.
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