World
President Isaac Herzog visits Australia as Jewish community faces growing divide
February 9, 2026


Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Australia this week, where he laid a wreath and traditional stones at a memorial in Bondi. The monument honors the victims of an antisemitic terror attack. During the ceremony, Herzog stated that "when one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain."
While several Jewish community leaders welcomed the president, his arrival sparked debate. More than 600 other community members signed an open letter opposing the visit. To manage the tension, police launched a major security operation ahead of a planned protest march, and the New South Wales premier issued a public call for calm.
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