Herzog visit LIVE: Israeli president arrives in Sydney; protesters launch last-minute challenge to ‘extraordinary’ police powers

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife, first lady Michal Herzog, have arrived in Sydney for their official state visit following the Bondi terror attack.

Israel’s ambassador to Australia welcomed the pair at Sydney’s international airport, he confirmed on social media.

Nine cameras captured vision of a large motorcade leaving Sydney International Airport a short time ago, believed to be escorting the president and the first lady.

In an interview with my colleagues Peter Hartcher and Matthew Knott, published earlier this week, Herzog said he hoped his visit to Australia would help rekindle the historically close bonds between the two countries after years of tension and that it would offer solace to Jewish Australians mourning the victims of the Bondi terror attack.

Herzog said he was aware that his visit was opposed by many Australians angry at Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, but he rejected accusations that he had encouraged the killing of innocent civilians in controversial remarks made in the days following the October 7 attacks of 2023.

He said he hoped that his four-day trip would help Australians better understand Israel’s perspective on its fight against the hardline Islamic regime in Iran and terror groups it sponsors, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, while highlighting the need to tackle the rise of antisemitism in Australia and globally.

“I think it’s about time that the good relations between Israel and Australia will flourish and not be taken hostage by radical forces in Australia who have been undermining these relations,” he said in an interview with this masthead before his departure.

“I’m here to express a message of bipartisanship and friendship, and find a way to reignite this passion and love between our nations.”

Herzog is head of state, with no role in policymaking, and likens himself to Australia’s governor-general. A former leader of the Israeli Labor Party, he has known Anthony Albanese for decades and is the son of former president Chaim Herzog, who in 1986 became the first sitting Israeli leader to visit Australia.

Read more from Knott and Hartcher interview here.

Herzog is head of state, with no role in policymaking. He likens himself to Australia’s governor-general.

He is a former leader of the Israeli Labor Party, and has known Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for decades.

His father, former president Chaim Herzog, visited Australia in 1986, becoming the first sitting Israeli leader to do so.

A United Nations commission of inquiry found Herzog and other Israeli officials were “liable to prosecution for incitement to genocide” for comments made after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas.

Herzog has defended himself as someone who has long sought a peaceful resolution with the Palestinian people.

“I care for the people of Gaza. All I want is for them to have a better life,” he said in an interview with this masthead published last week.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Sydney.

Here’s what you need to know this morning:

• Herzog is expected to land in Sydney this morning as part of a visit arranged after the Bondi Beach massacre that killed 15 people and injured dozens more, mostly Jewish, on the first night of Hanukkah.
• The visit has prompted pro-Palestine activists to prepare for a nationwide day of protest. The Palestine Action Group has planned a demonstration starting at Town Hall from 5.30pm on Monday. They have estimated about 5000 people will attend.
• The NSW government has declared Herzog’s visit a major event under legislation typically used to manage crowds at sporting events, giving police additional powers to “close off” designated areas and to order people to leave. Protesters will launch an eleventh-hour legal challenge against the declaration this morning, arguing the government had acted outside its legal powers.
• Sydneysiders can expect disruptions, road closures, and a heavy police presence across Sydney this week. Multiple road closures are in place until 2pm on Thursday, and more than 500 officers have been rostered to police Monday’s protest.