Sydney: Israeli President Isaac Herzog has taken aim at his critics during his Australia visit, questioning why mass protests against his presence have not been matched by similar outrage toward Iran and militant jihadist groups operating in the Middle East. Speaking in his only televised interview in Australia, Herzog directly addressed demonstrators who opposed his arrival, arguing that Israel is being singled out while other actors responsible for large-scale violence escape scrutiny.
Herzog’s remarks came as his first day in Australia unfolded under intense security, marked by large demonstrations across several cities. In Sydney, the Israeli president attended a solemn ceremony at the memorial for the Bondi Massacre, delivering a speech while surrounded by heavily armed Australian police and his own security personnel. Authorities maintained a tight cordon around the event amid concerns over crowd control and safety.
In a sit-down interview with Sky News’ Sharri Markson, Herzog defended Israel’s actions and challenged the focus of the protests. He asked demonstrators why they had not mobilized in similar numbers against Iran, which he accused of committing atrocities against its own population and of financing militant groups across the region. Referring to recent unrest in Iran, Herzog said tens of thousands of civilians had been brutally suppressed, adding pointedly, “Where were you all then?”
He urged critics to reconsider what he described as a misplaced narrative, insisting that Israel was being unfairly blamed while acting, in his words, to defend democratic values shared by countries such as Australia. Herzog maintained that Israel’s actions should be viewed within the broader regional context, particularly the influence of Iran and extremist organizations.
Reflecting on history, Herzog contrasted his visit with that of his father, Chaim Herzog, who travelled to Australia in 1986 as Israel’s president and met then prime minister Bob Hawke. That visit, he noted, took place without extraordinary security measures and at a time when Israel enjoyed broad bipartisan support in Australian politics. “My father didn’t need thousands of police officers, and he didn’t arrive in the shadow of a horrific terror attack,” Herzog said, lamenting the level of tension surrounding the current visit.
He expressed concern that Israel had become a deeply polarising issue in Australia and said there was a need to work toward restoring a more bipartisan and less confrontational approach to relations between the two countries. According to Herzog, rebuilding trust and dialogue was essential to returning to what he described as “the good old days” of cooperation.
The interview also touched on ongoing differences between Australia and Israel’s current government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two nations remain at odds over key Middle East issues, including the war in Gaza, Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank, and Australia’s position on recognizing a Palestinian state disputes that continue to strain diplomatic discussions.
Herzog further warned of what he called a sharp rise in antisemitism across Western democracies, describing it as a growing challenge that governments and societies must confront decisively. He argued that combating hatred required not only security measures but also political leadership and public clarity about the roots of extremism.
As Herzog’s visit continues, protests are expected to persist alongside official engagements, underscoring the deep divisions his presence has exposed within Australia’s public debate on the Middle East, security, and free expression.