Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi has sparked controversy by calling Israel’s president a “war criminal” and criticizing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for extending an invitation to him to visit Australia.

The contentious invitation was extended to Isaac Herzog in December, following the tragic terror attack at Bondi Beach, which claimed the lives of 15 innocent people. This gesture by the Prime Minister was meant to strengthen ties.

Herzog is expected to visit Australia in early February, a visit Foreign Minister Penny Wong has described as “an important signal” to the Jewish community.

Faruqi, who made history as the first Muslim to be elected to Australia’s Senate, voiced her disapproval on Instagram, targeting the government’s actions.

“In a week when the government claims to be cracking down on hate, it is welcoming the president of a state committing an ongoing genocide,” she wrote, expressing her strong opposition to the invitation.

“You don’t fight racism by rolling out the red carpet for war criminals,” Faruqi added, emphasizing her stance against the visit.

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory hit back at Faruqi, accusing the Greens senator of undermining social cohesion.

‘Senator Mehreen Faruqi has a history of making provocative and extreme statements,’ he said.

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi has come under fire after labelling the Israeli President a ‘war criminal’ and blasting Anthony Albanese for inviting him to Australia

The Prime Minister extended the invite to Isaac Herzog in December in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack that left 15 innocent people dead

‘Israel’s president is not a “war criminal” and throwing around such accusations only fuels antisemitism and undermines social cohesion. 

‘The massacre at Bondi Beach should have been a wake-up call for members of Parliament to act responsibly and avoid rhetoric that deepens division. 

‘Clearly, Senator Faruqi has not taken that lesson to heart.’ 

Wong told Sky News it was a ‘good thing’ for Herzog to visit Australia.

‘It was an important signal of the importance for many, for the Jewish community of our relationship with Israel,’ she said.

The invitation comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the Albanese government for not standing firmly enough with Israel and Jewish Australians in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Wong insisted Australia remains in ‘dialogue’ with Israel and its officials, including its Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

‘I engaged with my counterpart, Minister Sa’ar, after Bondi,’ she said.

The invitation comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the Albanese government for not standing firmly enough with Israel and Jewish Australians in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack

‘I briefed him on what had occurred, the investigation, and the Royal Commission.’

Faruqi has long been a critic of Israel.

On October 9, 2023, she blasted the Albanese government for lighting up Parliament House in blue and white to honour Israel after the Hamas-led terror attack.

‘One colonial government supporting another. What a disgrace,’ she wrote on X.

In July 2025, Faruqi sparked chaos in the Senate when she held up a Gaza protest sign during the Governor-General’s address. 

The stunt saw her banned from all overseas delegations for the rest of the 48th Parliament.

After the Bondi Beach massacre. Sky News journalist Sharri Markson confronted Faruqi at the vigil site, asking whether she believed her ‘aggressive rhetoric over the past two years’ had contributed to the ‘antisemitism crisis’.

Faruqi responded that she was in Bondi ‘to mourn’.

Albanese has yet to announce a date for Herzog’s trip, but Wong confirmed the invitation was part of ‘many discussions’ in recent weeks.

The Albanese government is pushing to introduce new hate speech legislation in response to the terror attack.

A vote on the proposed laws is expected when Parliament returns next week.

The Greens received a briefing on the measures earlier this week but have not yet declared a public position.

Daily Mail contacted Wong for comment.