Antisemitism in Australia is “frightening” but most people want good relations, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said on February 12th as he wrapped up a four-day visit and was met by protests in the city of Melbourne.
Herzog’s tightly policed visit to Australia this week was meant to offer consolation to the country’s Jewish community following the mass shooting on Bondi Beach that killed 15 people in December.
Herzog’s visit sparked demonstrations in major cities, including in Sydney, where police used pepper spray on protesters and members of the media, during scuffles in the central business district on Monday night.
“It is frightening and worrying,” he said. “But there’s also a silent majority of Australians who seek peace, who respect the Jewish community and, of course, want a dialogue with Israel.”
The Israeli head of state said he had brought a “message of goodwill to the people of Australia.” “I hope there will be a change. I hope things will relax,” he said.
Herzog attended a Jewish community event after a meeting with Victoria’s governor at Melbourne’s Government House. Protesters waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans squared off with police outside the event. Herzog told the audience at the community event: “We came here to be with you, to look you in the eye, to embrace and remember.”
He also said demonstrators outside should instead “go protest in front of the Iranian embassy.” He was most likely referring to the fact that the Australian government accused Iran last year of orchestrating a recent wave of antisemitic attacks and expelled Tehran’s ambassador.
