Podcast on the Times of Israel Podcast

10 February 2026

Thousands gathered across Australia on Monday to protest the arrival of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who is on a multi-city trip aimed at expressing solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.

Herzog is visiting Australia this week at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the aftermath of the December 14 terror shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15 people.

The visit has attracted the ire of some people in Australia, who accuse Herzog of being complicit in civilian deaths in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel groups organized protests in cities and towns across the country on Monday evening.

We hear how the Australian Jewish community is welcoming the Israeli president’s visit, what Herzog’s goals may be in Canberra and whether there could be unintended negative consequences in light of the allegations of police brutality from Monday’s explosive anti-Israel protest.