Key Takeaways:
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog will visit Australia on a five-day trip starting February 8, sparking controversy over antisemitism and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- The visit has been welcomed by Jewish community leaders but opposed by pro-Palestine advocates, including some within the Labor party.
- Herzog’s trip aims to express solidarity with the Jewish community and offer strength in the aftermath of a recent attack.
- The visit has sparked debate over Herzog’s past comments and actions, with some accusing him of inciting genocide and others defending him as a bridge-builder.
- The Australian government has been urged to launch a war crimes investigation into Herzog during his visit.
Introduction to the Controversy
The upcoming visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia has sparked a heated debate over antisemitism and the Israel-Palestine conflict. The five-day trip, scheduled to begin on February 8, has been welcomed by Jewish community leaders but opposed by pro-Palestine advocates, including some within the Labor party. The controversy surrounding Herzog’s visit is a reflection of the deep divisions within the Labor party and the broader Australian community over the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Herzog’s Trip and Its Purpose
Herzog’s trip aims to express solidarity with the Jewish community and offer strength in the aftermath of a recent attack that killed 15 people and injured dozens at a Hanukkah event in Bondi in December. The visit will include official meetings with senior Australian leaders, including the governor-general and the prime minister, as well as with leaders from across the political spectrum. Herzog will also lead a delegation including the chair of the World Zionist Organisation and the Jewish Agency chair to visit Jewish communities across Australia.
Opposition to the Visit
Pro-Palestine activists in Sydney and Melbourne have been preparing protest actions in anticipation of Herzog’s visit, voicing their opposition to Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza and settlement building in the West Bank. The Labor Friends of Palestine group has written to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke urging him to refuse to grant Herzog a visa on character grounds, citing his alleged role in inciting genocide and rejecting a Palestinian state. The Australian Centre for International Justice has also urged the Australian Federal Police to launch a war crimes investigation into Herzog during his visit.
Defense of Herzog’s Visit
In contrast, Jewish Labor, a group set up to tackle antisemitism within the labor movement, has written an open letter to MPs urging them to support the visit, which they say would be a healing moment for many in the Jewish community. The group’s letter describes Herzog as a former leader of the Israeli Labor Party and a man who has spent much of his public life in dialogue with Palestinian leaders and in pursuit of coexistence. Mike Kelly, the co-convenor of Labor Friends of Israel, has also defended Herzog’s visit, calling calls for him to be investigated over alleged war crimes and be disinvited "ridiculous".
Herzog’s Past Comments and Actions
Herzog’s past comments and actions have been widely cited as justification for opposition to his visit. The International Court of Justice cited comments by Herzog when it found Palestinians have plausible rights under the Genocide Convention. Herzog’s comment that there is "an entire nation out there that is responsible" for the October 7 attacks has been widely cited as justifying civilian deaths in Gaza. However, Herzog has insisted his words have been taken out of context and has accused the ICJ of ignoring other comments in which he said "there is no excuse" for killing innocent civilians.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The controversy surrounding Herzog’s visit to Australia highlights the deep divisions within the Labor party and the broader Australian community over the Israel-Palestine conflict. The visit has sparked a heated debate over antisemitism, the role of Israel in the conflict, and the actions of Israeli leaders. As the visit approaches, it remains to be seen how the Australian government will respond to calls for a war crimes investigation into Herzog and how the visit will impact relations between Australia and Israel. One thing is certain, however: the visit will bring attention to the ongoing conflict and the need for a peaceful resolution.
