Police in Australia have reportedly deployed tear gas and pepper spray against thousands of demonstrators protesting the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to the country. The controversial trip has sparked significant public outcry, with critics accusing Herzog of complicity in civilian deaths in Gaza.
Violent Clashes Erupt in Sydney Square
In Sydney, large crowds gathered in a central square to voice their opposition to President Herzog's presence in Australia. Protesters listened to impassioned speeches and chanted pro-Palestine slogans, creating a charged atmosphere that eventually led to confrontations with law enforcement.
According to reports from Reuters news agency, police officers used pepper spray and tear gas to push back groups of demonstrators who were attempting to breach security lines. Several arrests were made during the clashes, though exact numbers have not been officially confirmed.
Background to the Controversial Visit
President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, following the tragic shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney's Bondi Beach in December. The attack claimed the lives of at least fifteen people and shocked the nation.
During his visit, Herzog met with families of victims and survivors of the Bondi Beach attack, laying a wreath and two stones brought from Jerusalem at the memorial site. He described the shooting as "an attack on all Australians" that targeted democratic values including the sanctity of human life and freedom of religion.
Protesters Voice Their Opposition
Jackson Elliott, a thirty-year-old protester from Sydney, expressed the frustration felt by many demonstrators. "The Bondi massacre was terrible," he told Reuters, "but from our Australian leadership there's been no acknowledgment of the Palestinian people and the Gazans."
Elliott further criticized Herzog, stating: "Herzog has dodged all the questions about the occupation and says this visit is about Australia and Israeli relations but he is complicit."
Legal Challenges and Security Measures
The Palestine Action Group, which organized the Sydney protest, mounted an unsuccessful legal challenge in court on Monday regarding restrictions placed on their demonstration. Authorities in Sydney had been authorized to use rarely invoked powers during Herzog's visit, including the ability to separate and move crowds while restricting entry to certain areas.
Divided Jewish Community Response
The visit has revealed divisions within Australia's Jewish community. The Jewish Council of Australia, a vocal critic of the Israeli government, released an open letter signed by over one thousand Jewish Australian academics and community leaders, urging Prime Minister Albanese to rescind Herzog's invitation.
Meanwhile, other Jewish groups have welcomed the visit, suggesting it will "lift the spirits of a pained community" still recovering from the Bondi Beach tragedy.
Additional Protests in Melbourne
Further demonstrations were held in Melbourne, where President Herzog is scheduled to visit later this week. The protests reflect growing public concern about Australia's relationship with Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Herzog's Australian itinerary includes visits to Sydney, Melbourne, and the capital Canberra before his planned return to Israel on Thursday. The protests highlight the complex diplomatic and humanitarian considerations surrounding international visits during times of conflict.
