The Palestine Action Group announced it will hold a “national day of protest” during the Israeli president’s visit to Australia in early February, calling for Isaac Herzog’s arrest and investigation over war crimes, including alleged incitement to genocide in Gaza.
In a social media post, the group said it would meet with representatives of the Palestinian movement nationwide to discuss the protest plans.
A spokesperson for Herzog confirmed he would meet Australian Jewish communities and political leaders from February 8–12 at the Albanese government’s invitation following the Bondi attack.
The protest in Sydney will be held at Town Hall, an area where protests are currently restricted due to post-Bondi security measures.
Josh Lees of the Palestine Action Group stated that thousands would rally nationwide, declaring Herzog unwelcome. He called for Herzog’s arrest and investigation over alleged war crimes.
Jasmine Duff of Students for Palestine said the group would stage mass protests during Herzog’s visit, including in Sydney and Melbourne on Sunday.
Calls to revoke Herzog’s invitation have intensified. The Australian Centre for International Justice, Al-Haq, and Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights notified federal police of serious and credible allegations of incitement to genocide since October 7, 2023, and submitted a ten-page brief outlining accusations and legal obligations.
ACIJ Director Rawan Arraf said Australia has a legal duty to act where international findings indicate incitement and local accountability is lacking. She condemned allowing Herzog’s entry without an investigation.
Al-Haq’s Shawan Jabarin cited Herzog’s statements denying the existence of uninvolved civilians in Gaza and referenced the deaths of 23,000 children and 1,000 infants. He also mentioned the bombing of an IVF clinic that destroyed 4,000 embryos. He called for Herzog’s arrest and prosecution.
Jewish Council of Australia’s Ohad Kozminsky told SBS the visit could exacerbate community division, calling Herzog the leader of a state committing genocide.
Australia Palestine Advocacy Network condemned the invitation as a moral failure and an offense to Gaza genocide protesters.
Labor Friends of Palestine sent a letter to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke urging denial of Herzog’s visa, citing character test criteria related to genocide and risks of social discord. Peter Moss, Wendy Turner, and Oliver van Ingen signed on behalf of Labor members.
Independent MP Sophie Scamps echoed the call, warning the visit could spark further division amid concerns over unity and safety in the post-Bondi context.
Federal Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi criticized inviting a president of a state engaged in ongoing genocide.
Scamps emphasized that ensuring community safety should come first and warned the visit could threaten social cohesion and security. She underscored potential division from admitting a foreign official associated with incitement to genocide.
Labor Friends of Palestine cited legal provisions defining disqualification from visa eligibility based on serious international crimes or posing a risk of community discord. The group urged refusals of Herzog’s visa.
Peter Moss said the visit undermined official stances on unity and hate speech. A complaint was jointly submitted by the Australian National Imams Council, Jewish Council of Australia, and Hind Rajab Foundation urging authorities to investigate Herzog’s statements and deny him entry.
The groups warned that allowing Herzog in could raise tensions, jeopardize hate speech protections, and endanger communities.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is wanted by the ICC for war crimes, while Herzog supported the Gaza campaign. In October 2023, he said all Gazans were responsible for the October 7 operation, denying civilian innocence—statements included in South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel.
In a 2025 Gaza visit, Herzog reiterated the view that Israel wasn’t to blame for starvation. Speaking at Davos, he said withdrawing from West Bank settlements was “unrealistic.”
Despite mounting opposition, Prime Minister Albanese supported Herzog’s visit, citing Anne Aly’s remarks on the visit aiding unity across the country.
