Israeli President’s Australia Visit Confirmed, Pro-Palestine Groups Pledge to Protest

Jewish groups say Herzog’s visit will strengthen community solidarity and bilateral ties.

Israel's President Isaac Herzog speaks at an event at Chatham House in London, England, on Sept. 10, 2025. Alistair Grant-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog will travel to Australia in early February for a high-profile visit focused on Jewish community safety, his office has confirmed.

The visit follows an invitation from the Australian government in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack that killed 15 people and injured another 40 on Dec. 14, 2025.

According to a statement from the Israeli government, Herzog’s visit will take place from Feb. 8 to 12.

The president will meet with families of those killed in the Bondi mass shooting, as well as survivors and relatives of those injured.

Furthermore, Herzog will be briefed on the work of the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization in Australia, and their response to ongoing anti-Semitism in the country.

Prior to the Bondi terror attack, Jewish communities endured a string of incidents aimed at mocking or intimidating them including graffiti, arson attacks, and the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.

Herzog will also hold talks with senior Australian leaders, including Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, leaders across the political spectrum, and hold media interviews.

Pro-Palestinian Groups Call for Herzog’s Visa to be Cancelled

Herzog’s official visit has drawn criticism from pro-Palestinian activists, including from within Labor Party ranks.

Labor Friends of Palestine, a group of Labor members that advocate for Palestinian statehood, has written to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, urging his department deny Herzog a visa.

Burke has previously denied visas to a string of Israeli figures like online influencer Sammy Yahood, former Israeli Minister Ayelet Shaked, Jewish American tech entrepreneur Hillel Fuld, and current Knesset politician Simcha Rothman.

The letter, signed by Labor activists and unionists like Peter Moss, Wendy Turner and Oliver van Ingen, questioned whether Burke would apply the “character test” to Herzog’s visa application, pointing to provisions under current migration law that bar individuals accused of involvement in “genocide, a crime against humanity, a war crime, a crime involving torture or slavery or a crime that is otherwise of serious international concern.”

The letter also pointed to provisions relating to the risk that a person could “incite discord in the Australian community or in a segment of that community.”

Other pro-Palestinian organisations have also announced their intention to protest during the visit.

In a social media post, the Palestine Action Group said it would meet with representatives of the Palestine movement nationally to discuss plans for “a massive national day of protest.”

Jewish Leaders Back Herzog’s Visit, Reject Criticism

Meanwhile, Australian Jewish groups have welcomed Herzog’s upcoming visit.

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) said the visit marked “a moment of profound significance,” calling it an opportunity to strengthen Australia–Israel ties.

The organisation also noted that Herzog’s presence would help reaffirm shared democratic values and provide reassurance to Jewish Australians.

In addition, the AIJAC strongly pushed back against criticism from pro-Palestinian groups seeking to block the visit.

“We are disturbed and saddened by the groups and individuals determined to politicise this visit by labelling it ‘divisive’ and attempting to misrepresent Herzog’s words after Oct. 7,” AIJAC executive director Colin Rubenstein said.

“Our view is that, after Bondi, Herzog’s visit is not only appropriate, but an essential part of the healing process, and we are very confident we represent the overwhelming majority of Australian Jews in saying as much.”

Crystal-Rose Jones contributed to this article.