Thousands protest in Australia against visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog

Thousands of people took to the streets in several Australian cities on Monday to protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, with clashes reported between demonstrators and police.

Herzog began a four-day official visit at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, described as an expression of solidarity with the Jewish community following the 14 December attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, which left 15 people dead.

The visit has sparked controversy, with activists accusing Herzog of complicity in the war in the Gaza Strip. Protests were held simultaneously in several cities and towns, including Sydney, where thousands gathered in the central business district to listen to speeches and chant pro-Palestinian slogans.

One demonstrator, Jackson Elliott, 30, said the Bondi attack had been “horrific” but argued that Australian leaders had failed to acknowledge the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. He accused Herzog of avoiding questions about the occupation and said the visit should not be treated merely as a matter of bilateral relations.

Sydney saw a significant security deployment, including mounted police and aerial surveillance. Authorities said around 3,000 officers had been mobilised during the visit.

Police used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse groups attempting to breach security cordons, leading to clashes and multiple arrests. Some journalists were also affected by pepper spray during the unrest.