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Link copiedShareShare articleThousands of people have attended protests across the country against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.

Mr Herzog is visiting Jewish communities as part of a four-day tour initiated by the governor-general and prime minister.

Nationwide protests have been planned against the visit.

A sign reading 'Arrest Herzog' at the protest at Town Hall (ABC News: Digby Werthmuller)

LIVE COVERAGE: Follow the latest on Isaac Herzog's visit to Sydney

Restrictions on protests which were introduced in Sydney after the December 14 massacre were last week extended for another fortnight ahead of the demonstrations.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog  has paid tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack during a visit to Sydney. (ABC News)

The restrictions do not ban protests outright and apply only to public assemblies in the Easter Suburbs Police Area Command and in parts of Sydney's CBD, excluding Hyde Park.

NSW Police also have additional powers under a "major event" declaration made on Saturday which will allow officers to restrict access to event areas and direct people to leave to reduce the risk of confrontation.

The NSW Supreme Court on Monday afternoon dismissed a legal challenge against the "major event" declaration.

There is an extensive police and security presence for Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Bondi Beach. (ABC News)

There has been a heavy police presence of about 3,000 officers stationed across the city.

Hundreds of officers have been deployed to the Sydney CBD, where demonstrations against Mr Herzog's visit began on Monday evening.

Thousands of people have gathered at a rally organised by the Palestine Action Group at Town Hall, with attendees seen carrying Palestinian flags and signs criticising Mr Herzog's presence in Australia.

One rally attendee said she was "slightly worried" about the heightened security.

"I think it would be pretty silly to not look around and feel a bit intimidated by the police presence here," she said.

Protesters could be seen waving Palestinian flags in the Sydney CBD. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)

Protesters had planned to march from Town Hall to Parliament House, which would have been prohibited under current protest restrictions.

A number of attendees could be heard chanting "we will march", with some protesters seen clashing with police after being told to disperse.

Officers could be seen restraining some protesters on the ground, with pepper spray also used in an attempt to control the crowd.

Hundreds in Hobart, Tasmania protested Mr Herzog's visit this afternoon.

Former Labor senator Margaret Reynolds said she took issue with Mr Herzog being invited to Australia as an "official guest".

"Welcoming the president of a state that has behaved as the Netanyahu regime has behaved in the last couple of years is a national and an international outrage," she said.

Protester Josephine Ann-Smith was one of hundreds who attended a rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. (February 9, 2026) (ABC News: Kate Nickels)

Attendee Josephine Ann-Smith said she was pleased with the large turnout in Hobart.

"It's our responsibility, each of us, to stand up and speak out when things are wrong," she said.

"It's the closest I can get to anybody from Israel in charge of things; he just shouldn't be here."

Crowds have also gathered at a rally at Flinders Street Station in Melbourne.

Attendee Mary Jo Kelly said someone else should have been chosen to meet with the Australian Jewish community.

Protests are underway at Flinders Street Station in Melbourne. (ABC News: James Oaten)

"This visit is not going to contribute to social cohesion. It's not helping the poor people who suffered in Bondi," she said.

"They should have brought a religious leader. We could have all been part of that healing instead all that they've done is create further division."

There were about 500 people protesting in Canberra's Garema Place, with federal Greens leader Larissa Waters and Independent Senator Fatima Payman among those in the crowd.

Fatima Payman was among those in attendance at a rally in Canberra. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)

Mr Herzog's visit has been welcomed by much of the Jewish community, with Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin saying the president would "lift the spirits of a pained community".

"He is a person who has sadly had to comfort families, police and first responders after terrorist attacks many times, and will know how to reassure and fortify our community in its darkest time," he said.

There is a heavy police presence in the Sydney CBD this evening. (ABC News: Digby Werthmuller)

Meanwhile, an open letter signed by more than 1,000 Jewish Australians said Mr Herzog was "not welcome here".

A United Nations special inquiry found Mr Herzog was among Israeli leaders who incited the commission of genocide in Gaza, and the comments are in South Africa's genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice.

Mr Herzog acknowledged the demonstrations against his visit. (ABC News)

The allegation of genocide is rejected by Israel, and Mr Herzog maintains his comments have been taken out of context.

Mr Herzog on Monday morning acknowledged the demonstrations.

"It is important for me to say that I have come here in goodwill," he said.

"These demonstrations, in most cases, what you hear and see, comes to undermine and delegitimise our right, my nation's right, the nation which I am the head of state of, of its mere existence."

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