Sydney, February 9: Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in Sydney on Monday morning. His four-day visit to Australia aims to show support for the Jewish community following the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach last December. However, the trip has sparked controversy due to Israel’s policies regarding Palestinians.
According to the news agency Xinhua, Herzog stated that he would be visiting Jewish communities across Australia to express solidarity and empower them in the aftermath of the attack.
Invited by Australia’s Governor-General and Prime Minister, Herzog is expected to participate in major community events with leaders of the Australian Jewish community during his visit. Additionally, he is likely to meet with senior politicians.
Conversely, some Australian groups and citizens have protested against the visit due to Israel’s policies and actions concerning Palestinians. Over a thousand Australian Jews signed an open letter stating that Herzog is not welcome.
Protests are planned in cities included in Herzog’s itinerary, such as Canberra and Melbourne. A rally and march are also set to take place in Sydney’s city center on Monday evening.
In response to the visit, strict security measures have been implemented. More than 3,000 police officers will be deployed across New South Wales during Herzog’s visit, with around 500 officers specifically assigned to ensure the safety of the planned protests.
It is noteworthy that on December 14 of last year, a mass shooting occurred during a Jewish festival celebration at Bondi Beach, resulting in 16 fatalities. The Australian government labeled the attack as a terrorist act inspired by the extremist ideology of the Islamic State.
