Israeli President Isaac Herzog has laid a wreath and two stones from Jerusalem at Bondi Beach, the site of a shooting that targeted a Jewish festival in December, at the start of a controversial visit. When one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain, he said, adding he was there to embrace and console the bereaved families.
Security has been tight for the four-day visit during which he will also travel to Canberra and Melbourne and meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Senior Jewish leaders have said the trip will comfort a grieving community, but others have said he should not have been invited due to allegations he has incited genocide in Gaza.
The president was invited by Albanese after the shooting at Bondi, in which 15 people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, at an event celebrating Hanukkah. The prime minister has said the visit will contribute to social cohesion and a greater sense of unity after the Bondi attack but the visit is expected to be met with nationwide protests, including one in central Sydney on Monday evening.
Organisers have said 5,000 people will attend the protest, and the Palestine Action Group is challenging a decision to give police additional powers during Herzog's visit. Critics of Herzog's invitation cite his history of statements deemed inflammatory, linking him to accusations of inciting genocide. Despite this, some community members believe his visit will boost morale in light of the recent tragedy.
Security has been tight for the four-day visit during which he will also travel to Canberra and Melbourne and meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Senior Jewish leaders have said the trip will comfort a grieving community, but others have said he should not have been invited due to allegations he has incited genocide in Gaza.
The president was invited by Albanese after the shooting at Bondi, in which 15 people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, at an event celebrating Hanukkah. The prime minister has said the visit will contribute to social cohesion and a greater sense of unity after the Bondi attack but the visit is expected to be met with nationwide protests, including one in central Sydney on Monday evening.
Organisers have said 5,000 people will attend the protest, and the Palestine Action Group is challenging a decision to give police additional powers during Herzog's visit. Critics of Herzog's invitation cite his history of statements deemed inflammatory, linking him to accusations of inciting genocide. Despite this, some community members believe his visit will boost morale in light of the recent tragedy.
