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Link copiedShareShare articleIsraeli President Isaac Herzog has arrived in Sydney to begin his official visit to Australia following the Bondi Beach terror attack.

The president was invited by the governor-general and prime minister to join the Jewish community in grieving the December 14 Bondi terror attack.

Protesters are due to gather in Sydney's CBD this evening, following a Supreme Court challenge against the government's decision to declare the visit a "major event", granting police special powers.

Follow live updates here.

Submit a comment or question Log in to commentLive updatesLatestOldest1m agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 1:29amLaura Tingle says Herzog visit highlights intersection of fraught issuesTBy Ted O'Connor

Laura Tingle is the ABC's global affairs editor and she's closely watching this visit while giving her analysis to News Channel.

She says Israel's president emphasised solidary with Jewish people while expressing frustration more couldn't be done to deal with antisemitism in the lead up to the Bondi attack.

She noted his response to a question about the protesters taking aim at his visit.

"He tended to say these are people who don't believe the state of Israel should have the right to exist, (are) hostile to Israel as a nation, and he pointed out that Israel is a nation of Jewish people," she says.

More broadly Laura says while the federal government’s invitation was well intentioned it probably didn’t anticipate just how divisive Isaac Herzog’s visit would be.

She says the tension comes down to the intersection of two really fraught issues being the Bondi attack and Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

“President Herzog is a contentious figure because of the finding by a UN Commission of Inquiry last year that he had been found to have incited genocide,” she says.

“But more broadly, I think, it's this question of the extent to which this has really raised the issue of the actions of the Israeli government, and to what extent that may have escalated the tensions that we ended up seeing in Bondi.”

“And that's been something that people have been trying to avoid linking until now.”

She wrote more on the topic at the weekend. 

19m agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 1:11amMr Herzog lays a wreath at Bondi PavilionGBy Georgie Hewson

Here's what Reporter Isobel Roe, who was at the Bondi Pavilion memorial this morning, says:

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has laid a wreath at Bondi Pavilion to pay tribute to those killed during the December 14 terror attack.

He was joined by the Israeli first lady, NSW Premier Chris Minns and the Waverley Council mayor, Will Namesh.

The pavilion is metres from the scene of the attack.

Mr Herzog met some of the families of the victims.

The media were told he would take four questions only: two from Australian media and two from Israeli media.

Security is tight. All media have been screened by metal detectors, there was a police boat on the water, and a helicopter in the air.

Reporting by Isobel Roe

19m agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 1:11amIsaac Herzog lays wreath at Bondi PavilionGBy Georgie Hewson

21m agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 1:09amHerzog expresses wish to strengthen Israel's relationship with AustraliaGBy Georgie Hewson

The president takes another question from Israeli media before wrapping up with comments about Australia-Israeli relations.

"I also believe that this is an opportunity to upgrade the relations between Israel and Australia because we are two democracies that share values together, and we are confronting the roots of evil from all over the world," he told the media.

"We should do so together."

Key Event25m agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 1:05amHerzog asked what his message is to protestersGBy Georgie Hewson

Next, a reporter asks Mr Herzog to reflect on what his message is to protesters who are mourning those killed in Gaza today.

"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," he says.

"We did not seek that war, October 7… and people were butchered, murdered, raped and burnt and  abducted.

"We have here bereaved Israeli families who came from the Kibbutz, Kibbutz Nir Oz, and from the war in order to express their condolences here at Bondi, but also to create — make a clear statement and a message — we should all fight together.

"Terror is what undermines all the availability of peace and the notion of peace in our region.

"It was always the case and is always the case, and, therefore, terror is unacceptable by any means."

25m agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 1:04amPresident: 'Israel is the only nation-state of the Jewish people'DBy Daniela Pizzirani

The president was asked what the state of Israel should do against anti-Israeli expressions from friends like Australia.

"I differentiate between debate and argument, between nations and between a clear understanding of one inherent element in the equation," Mr Herzog said during a press conference. 

"Israel is the only nation-state of the Jewish people."

He said the international Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism attacks and undermines the nation-state of the Jewish people and its right to defend itself, which is antisemitism.

"I think this has to be disseminated," he said.

"You can argue on policies, we argue on policies, but it's a totally different ball game when our ongoing attacks and criticism and agony and pain of Jews, while citizens of any country, including this country.

"We see ourselves as the protectors of Jews all over the world.

"[Jews] are attacked and harassed in other countries, and in Australia, which is a model democracy, it must not happen."

32m agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 12:58amPresident says he raised concerns before attackGBy Georgie Hewson

Mr Herzog is asked: "Could more have been done to prevent such an attack on the Jewish community?"

"These frustrations were shared by many, many of us, including myself, where I alerted, as I have seen this wave surge all over the world, and I have seen it in many countries, including Canada, Great Britain, the United States, and Australia — all English-speaking countries," he says.

"I have alerted way in advance, as well as many others, and that is why I understand this frustration, and I hope the steps that were recently taken will bring change.

"This has to be a consistent, ongoing effort to change reality."

37m agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 12:52amAntisemitism is an Australian and global problem, says presidentGBy Georgie Hewson

"Antisemitism here in Australia is not a Jewish problem - it is an Australian problem and a global problem," Mr Herzog says.

"Over the generations, one thing has become clear - hatred that starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews."

He called antisemitism a global emergency.

"I welcome the positive steps taken by the Australian government to tackle antisemitism since the Bondi attack.

"Leaders across all sectors of society must speak out clearly and consistently against antisemitism because silence in the face of hatred is complicity."

He now takes questions from the media.

Key Event42m agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 12:47amHerzog lays stones from Jerusalem at Bondi for 'eternity'GBy Georgie Hewson

Mr Herzog just laid two stones from Jerusalem on the memorial.

He is now stepping up to the podium to speak.

"In Jewish tradition, we place stones to represent the endurance of memory, the weight of loss, and the unbreakable bond between the living and those we have lost," he says.

"These stones from Jerusalem, the Eternal City, the Eternal Capital of Israel, will remain here at Bondi for eternity, a sacred memory of the victims, and as a reminder that between the good of all faiths and all nations will continue to hold strong in the face of terror, violence and hatred, and that we shall overcome this evil together."

Key Event49m agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 12:41amIsaac Herzog lays a wreath at BondiGBy Georgie Hewson

Right now, the Israeli president is laying a wreath at the memorial in Bondi.

He and his wife are seen shaking hands with and hugging emotional members of the public.

He is paying his respects alongside Chris Minns and the mayor of Waverly Council.

You can watch it live on ABC News Channel.

54m agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 12:36amWhat Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, has said about GazaGBy Georgie Hewson

After the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, senior members of Australia's Jewish community have said Mr Herzog's visit would bring great comfort during a time of sorrow.

However, the president does not live in a bubble.

He'll be all too aware of the controversy his visit is generating in Australia, with the promise of protests and calls for his arrest over allegations — which he denies — that he incited genocide in Gaza.

As someone who emerged from the centre-left of politics, who once advocated for a two-state solution, it's not a situation Mr Herzog might have ever predicted he'd find himself in.

You can read more about this here:

1h agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 12:22amHeavy security presence in BondiMBy Miriah Davis

Our reporter Isobel Roe has snapped this picture near Bondi Beach, which appears to show extra security officers on the rooftop of a building.

There will be a heavy police presence across Sydney this week during Mr Herzog’s official state visit to Australia, including multiple road closures across the CBD and eastern suburbs.

1h agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 12:15amIsraeli ambassador welcomes Isaac HerzogGBy Georgie Hewson

Pictures posted on social media show the Israeli ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, and his wife receiving Isaac Herzog and first lady Michal Herzog as they arrived in Sydney this morning.

1h agoMon 9 Feb 2026 at 12:10amExplanation of Minns' 'major events' claimABy Alexander Lewis

NSW Premier Chris Minns has wrongly claimed that the "major events" declaration used to invoke special police powers for the Israeli president's visit was also used during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) event in Sydney.

The order, which gives authorities broad powers to control the movement of people, took effect at midnight.

"I think if you look at the history of the designation in the past, it's applied to APEC when leaders came to Sydney," Mr Minns said.

"That wasn't a major cultural event. It wasn't a sporting event. So it's been mischaracterised by those who want to topple the regulation as it applies to Sydney."

But the law underpinning the declaration, the Major Events Act, was not passed until 2009 — two years after the APEC meetings in Sydney in 2007.

In a speech to parliament at the time, then-tourism minister Jodie McKay said the bill was designed to "further encourage the economic investment produced by the staging of events in New South Wales", pointing to the Olympics, Rugby World Cup, and World Youth Day.

A separate piece of legislation, the APEC Meeting (Police Powers) Bill 2007, gave police special powers specifically for the event.

Special powers under Major Events Act have been invoked previously for visits by foreign dignitaries.

The Berejiklian government created regulation to declare the 2018 ASEAN — Australia Special Summit in Sydney was a "major event" for the purposes of the Major Events Act.

Pro-Palestinian protest organisers are this morning challenging the validity of the major events order in court. Among their arguments is that Mr Herzog's visit is not a "major event" for the purposes of the act.

Key Event1h agoSun 8 Feb 2026 at 11:52pmPalestine Action Group expects 'huge numbers' at Sydney protestMBy Miriah Davis

Josh Lees from Palestine Action Group has addressed the media this morning.

The group are awaiting the outcome of a Supreme Court challenge against granting police extra powers ahead of a rally protesting the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Mr Lees says they are also expecting "huge numbers" to gather at Sydney's Town Hall tonight, and that they are still engaging with police for a peaceful march to NSW parliament.

"We're expecting thousands and thousands and thousands of people… remember the protests happening here in Sydney are part of a nationwide day of action."

He said if the challenge is successful, it would be an "important win for democracy".

“We need to be absolutely clear. It is completely lawful for all of us to gather and assemble for a massive protest.”

Mr Lees said crucially it would take away "extraordinary powers" given to police that would allow them to evict people from the city, as well as potentially shut off whole sections of the city.

"We need Chris Minns to be reminded by the courts from time to time that he can't just do whatever he wants and continue to pass unconstitutional laws," he said.

1h agoSun 8 Feb 2026 at 11:34pmAn eleventh-hour Supreme Court challengeGBy Georgie Hewson

Organisers of the protest, the Palestine Action Group, have made an eleventh-hour Supreme Court challenge against the government's decision to designate it a "major event", which grants police special powers ahead of today's protest against the visit.

The declaration provides police with expanded powers to manage crowd safety, maintain separation between opposing groups and reduce the risk of confrontation.

More than 3,000 NSW Police officers will be deployed throughout Isaac Herzong's visit, including 500 for a planned demonstration tonight.

Under the Major Events Act, those who fail to comply with police directions could face fines of up to $5,500.

The Palestine Action Group lodged submissions late yesterday afternoon, arguing the declaration was "draconian" and imposed rules unsuitable for protest activity.

The matter will return to court today.

2h agoSun 8 Feb 2026 at 11:20pmWhy are there protests planned?GBy Georgie Hewson

While Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the president's visit "will lift the spirits of a pained community", over 1,000 Jewish Australians signed an open letter saying Mr Herzog was "not welcome here" with nationwide protests against the four-day visit and his role in the war in Gaza planned.

A UN Commission of Inquiry concluded Mr Herzog was among Israeli leaders who incited the commission of genocide, and his comments are in South Africa's genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice.

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

Key Event2h agoSun 8 Feb 2026 at 11:00pmWelcome to our live coverageGBy Georgie Hewson

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has arrived in Sydney to begin his official visit to Australia following the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Mr Herzog was invited by the governor-general and prime minister to join the Jewish community grieving the loss of life in the December 14 massacre of mostly Jewish Australians at a Hanukkah event.

In a statement, Mr Herzog said he would visit Jewish communities across Australia to "express solidarity and offer strength to the community in the aftermath of the attack".

It comes as  protesters are due to gather in Sydney's CBD this evening, following a Supreme Court challenge against the government's decision to declare the visit a "major event", granting police special powers.

We will bring you all of the live updates.

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