Australian Government Avoids Comment on Calls to Arrest Israeli President Herzog

The Australian government has declined to comment on calls for the arrest of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who is scheduled to visit Australia next week, as controversy grows around his planned trip.

Herzog has been invited for a four-day visit starting Monday to meet with the Jewish community following a deadly antisemitic attack during Hanukkah celebrations in Sydney on December 14, in which 15 people were killed. He is also expected to pay tribute to the victims of the attack at Bondi Beach.

The controversy stems from a 2025 report by a United Nations–mandated commission of inquiry, which stated that Herzog had “incited genocide” by comments made after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, in which he appeared to blame “the entire Palestinian nation”.

Israel rejected the UN report as “distorted and false” and called for the dissolution of the commission.

Chris Sidoti, a human rights lawyer and member of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry into alleged human rights violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories, said Herzog should be arrested if he enters Australia. He publicly urged the Australian government to withdraw the invitation or arrest Herzog upon arrival.

In an interview with AFP, Sidoti said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had made a “wrong decision” by inviting the Israeli president and should reverse it before it is too late.

Asked about the issue, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Herzog was invited solely to honour the victims of the Bondi attack and to stand in solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.

“The invitation was extended to commemorate the victims of Bondi and to support the Australian Jewish community,” Wong said. “This was one of the most horrific terrorist and antisemitic attacks ever carried out in our country.”

Pro-Palestinian activists have called for nationwide protests against Herzog’s visit, including demonstrations in Sydney. However, police—armed with expanded powers following the Bondi attack—have refused to approve the protests.

Meanwhile, the Australian Federal Police said on Thursday that a 19-year-old man from Sydney has been charged over an alleged online threat to kill a foreign head of state. Police did not confirm local media reports suggesting that the threat was directed at Herzog.