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ShareLatest Posts12.12pmPolice speak to pro-Palestine protester at Bondi By Amber SchultzAs the president departed Bondi, one person started clapping. Another person, a man who appeared to be in his late 20s, started yelling “boo”.

The motorcade for Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Sitthixay Ditthavong“Shame on you! Free Palestine,” he yelled as the cars departed. As police approached the protester, a second man, who appeared to be with the first, gave the motorcade the finger.

The man is being spoken to by police.

People gather along Bondi’s Campbell Parade to welcome Herzog’s arrival.Sitthixay DitthavongSharePinned post from 12.10pmIsrael’s president has visited Bondi. Here’s what you need to knowBy Angus ThomsonIsraeli President Isaac Herzog has visited Bondi, where he laid a wreath and two stones from Jerusalem in honour of the 15 victims of the attack on Jews celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.

If you’re just joining us, here’s what we have covered so far:

Share11.57amHerzog addresses protests against his visitBy Angus ThomsonThe Israeli president was asked if he had a message for the pro-Palestinian supporters rallying against his visit today.

“I have come here in goodwill and in a message that people of Australia – Australia and Israel are close friends and allies since the days of old,” he said.

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog (centre) visits Bondi Beach.APHerzog said the demonstrations “undermine and delegitimise” his nation’s “mere existence”.

“We did not seek that war on October 7,” he said. “People were butchered, murdered, raped and burnt and abducted. We have here bereaved Israeli families who came from … Kibbutz Nir Oz and from the war in order to express their condolences here at Bondi.”

ShareAdvertisement11.53am‘When one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain’By Angus ThomsonHerzog said he is in Australia to embrace and console the victims’ families and to address antisemitism here and abroad.

“When one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain,” he said.

The Israeli president speaks at Bondi.Nine“Antisemitism here in Australia is not a Jewish problem – it is an Australian problem and a global problem. Over the generations, one thing has become clear – hatred that starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews.

“This is why the current rise in antisemitism around the world is a global emergency, and we must all act to fight against it.”

Share11.50amHerzog: ‘We saw the very best of humanity’By Angus ThomsonHerzog is now making a public statement.

“This very beach, beloved by the Australian people, and symbolic of all that’s great about this beautiful nation, became the scene of the deadliest terror attack in Australia’s history,” he said.

“Fifteen innocent souls who gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Light, were massacred in cold blood [by] Islamic terrorists.”

Herzog paid tribute to the youngest victim – “sweet Matilda” – just 10 years old. So too 87-year-old Alex Kleytman, who survived extermination of 6 million Jews in the Holocaust “only to be murdered for being a Jew on the beaches of Sydney, Australia”.

Herzog then credited the heroes who stepped in to help victims.

“In the face of this evil, we saw the very best of humanity,” he said. “Suddenly, here, on Bondi, surfboards became trenches and stretchers as extraordinary ordinary people ran into the danger and saved innocent lives.”

Share11.44amHerzog lays stones from Jerusalem at Bondi PavilionBy Matthew KnottIn addition to laying a wreath at Bondi, Herzog has deposited two stones he brought with him from Jerusalem.

In Jewish tradition, leaving stones on a grave or scene of tragedy symbolises showing respect to the dead.

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, centre, and his wife Michal (left) offer prayers and lay stones at Bondi Pavilion. AP“In Jewish tradition, we place stones on to represent the endurance of memory, the weight of loss, and the unbreakable bond between the living and those we have lost,” he said. “These stones from Jerusalem … will remain here at Bondi for eternity.”

The stones were “a sacred memory of the victims” and a reminder that good people of all faiths and all nations would hold strong in the face of terror.

ShareAdvertisement11.37amIsraeli president speaks in BondiBy Israeli President Isaac Herzog placed a wreath at Bondi Pavilion for the 15 people killed on the first night of Hanukkah. He then spoke to the media.

Share11.31amHerzog arrives with large police escortBy Amber SchultzHerzog and his team have pulled into Bondi Pavilion.

Escorted by around a dozen police on motorbikes, with a police helicopter flying overhead, the president’s black motorcade pulled in close to the pavilion.

His entourage, including outgoing Israeli ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, walked in from the street carrying umbrellas to protect themselves from the rain.

Share11.28amSupporters turn out to welcome Herzog at BondiBy Amber SchultzSome locals have arrived at the barricades near Bondi Pavilion to show their support for the president’s visit.

Phil Levy has arrived with large Israeli and Australian flags, which he dangled over the fence near the pavilion.

Waverley Council Mayor Will Nemesh arrives at the Bondi Pavilion ahead of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Sitthixay Ditthavong“We came to welcome the president of Israel, to give him the welcome that he deserves from the Australian public,” he said.

Levy said he hopes the president offers a message of “unity, support, grief, and comfort to the families” of the victims.

David Milston said he felt the opposition to Herzog’s visit was misdirected. While he said he wouldn’t condone a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he felt Herzog’s visit wasn’t political.

A matzeivah with the words “May your souls be elevated” is placed among candles and flowers at a memorial for the Bondi terror attack victims. Kate GeraghtyThe position of president in Israel is largely ceremonial.

“He’s here to show support,” he said.

Both commended Minns and Albanese on their support for Herzog’s visit.

There are no signs of protesters against Herzog’s visit at Bondi.

ShareAdvertisement11.22amPolice on high alert at Bondi ahead of Herzog’s arrivalBy Amber SchultzThere is a major police presence at Bondi, with specialist officers carrying long arms. Snipers are located on rooftops overlooking Bondi Pavilion and dozens of officers are patrolling the streets.

Streets around the pavilion have been closed to traffic, including sections of Campbell Parade. The two pedestrian bridges either side of the pavilion have also been closed.

Ahead of Herzog and Minns’ arrival, police were seen sweeping the area. Specialist police located an item at Bondi Pavilion earlier that required assessment, but the item was later revealed to be old party sparklers and of no concern.