A Muslim, Jewish, and human rights organisation have filed a formal complaint to block Israeli President Isaac Herzog from entering the country and for a criminal investigation to be launched.
The complaint was sent on Jan. 29 by the Australian National Imams Council, alongside the left-wing Jewish Council of Australia, and the Hind Rajab Foundation, to the attorney-general, home affairs minister and the Australian Federal Police.
The move comes ahead of Herzog’s visit to Australia scheduled from Feb. 8 to 12.
Herzog was invited by the Australian government following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack on Dec. 14, 2025, which killed 15 people and injured another 40.
Allegations of Incitement and War Crimes
The coalition’s statement raises concerns about Herzog’s public remarks that they amount to inciting “genocide, complicity in war crimes and unlawful hate speech under Australian and international law.”In October 2003, Herzog said there is “an entire nation out there that is responsible” for the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 people in Israel.
Herzog said the ICJ ignored other comments in which he said “there is no excuse” for killing innocent civilians.
The groups said the complaint was not directed at Jewish Australians or people of any faith.
“Rather, it is motivated by a concern for the rule of law, community safety, and social cohesion in Australia,” it added.
The legal move follows a separate letter sent this week by Labor Friends of Palestine to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, urging him to deny Herzog a visa.
Burke has previously denied visas to several Israeli figures, including influencer Sammy Yahood, former minister Ayelet Shaked, tech entrepreneur Hillel Fuld, and parliament member Simcha Rothman.
Leaders Defend Visit, Jewish Groups Push Back
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended Herzog’s visit, saying it was intended to promote unity, not division.“That is the particular focus of this visit, I welcome the fact that President Herzog is coming here. The nation needs to look towards uniting,” Albanese told reporters on Jan. 30 after a cabinet meeting.
“We have too much division and people have their views on the Middle East. Make this point that Australia is not in a position to solve by ourselves, the Middle East issues, and people don’t want conflict brought here,” he said, adding that the engagement with the Bondi community would be solemn.
NSW Premier Chris Minns also backed the visit, saying Australians would understand its purpose.
“I understand people are concerned about what’s happening around the world and in the Middle East, but this happened in Sydney, and I think there should be an opportunity for that community to grieve, and I hope that people are respectful of that when it comes to protest designations,” Minns said at the same conference.
With protests planned nationally, Minns said security would be paramount.
“We'll take any and every decision that we believe is appropriate to keep the president safe and the community safe,” he said.
“I think most reasonable Australians would expect us to keep security and safety on the streets as well as respect a guest of Australia.”
