Australia’s government rejects calls to arrest visiting Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who is travelling to honour victims of a deadly antisemitic attack in Sydney.
SYDNEY: Australia’s government has sidestepped calls for the arrest of visiting Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Herzog has been invited for a four-day visit from Monday to meet with the Jewish community following a deadly attack.
The December 14 attack on a Hanukkah festival in Sydney killed 15 people.
Human rights lawyer Chris Sidoti publicly called for the invitation to be withdrawn or for Herzog’s arrest on arrival.
“He should be arrested if he comes,” said Sidoti, who is a member of a UN commission of inquiry.
Sidoti told AFP that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a “silly mistake” by inviting the Israeli head of state.
“It was the wrong decision, and it needs to be cancelled before it’s too late.”
A UN-established inquiry found in 2025 that Herzog “incited the commission of genocide” with past comments.
Israel has “categorically” rejected that report, describing it as distorted and false.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Herzog was invited in line with the wishes of the Jewish community.
“President Herzog is being invited to Australia to honour the victims of Bondi,” she said.
Pro-Palestinian activists have called for nationwide protests against the visit.
Police in Sydney have refused to authorise demonstrations under new powers granted after the Bondi attack.
Federal police said a 19-year-old Sydney man had been charged with making an online threat to kill a foreign head of state.
Police declined to confirm local media reports that Herzog was the target of that threat.
