During a contested four-day visit to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed gratitude to Israeli President Isaac Herzog for the “comfort” he has provided to grieving Jewish Australians. The two leaders met at Parliament House, marking a significant moment in Herzog’s trip.

President Herzog’s visit to Canberra on Wednesday followed two days in Sydney, an invitation extended by the Albanese government. The visit comes nearly two months after a terrorist attack in Bondi targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on December 14.

After the conclusion of parliamentary Question Time, Prime Minister Albanese personally welcomed Herzog, acknowledging the support that Herzog and his wife, Michal, have shown to the Jewish community during their time in Australia.

“I am eager to continue discussions about the Middle East. Here in Australia, we aspire to see peace in the region, with Israelis and Palestinians living together in harmony and security,” Albanese stated.

Earlier, protests against Herzog’s visit took place, with a Greens senator and an independent senator joining demonstrators. Nationwide protests were held on Monday, leading to violent scenes in Sydney.

President Herzog described his visit as “very emotional,” noting that any loss of Jewish life worldwide resonates deeply in Israel.

“That is why it was so important to visit the community and express heartfelt condolences and strengthen the community,” he told reporters.

The head of state said his trip had also provided an opportunity to bring Australian-Israeli relations to a “new beginning and a better future”.

“I think the relations between us do not depend only on the issue of Israel and the Palestinians and the conflict, but has a much broader base,” he said.

Herzog’s visit to Canberra has been steeped in tradition, including a welcoming ceremony with a 21-gun salute by the Federation Guard, followed by an inspection of the guard.

However, as he arrived at Government House, people protesting against his visit could be heard yelling in the background.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn said her official residence was a “place of peace where all are welcome”.

“I think it’s terribly important your visit stands with those who are grieving,” she said.

Herzog said both Australia and Israel “share the need to fight antisemitism with no doubts … so we uproot this phenomenon”, adding that he shares “the hope that we can bring the relations between our nations on a renewed path”.

His remarks came as Australia joined global condemnation of Israeli plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank — which are considered illegal under international law.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesperson said the decision “will undermine stability and security”.

“The Australian Government has been clear that settlements are illegal under international law and a significant obstacle to peace. Altering the demographic composition of Palestine is unacceptable,” DFAT said in a statement.

“A two-state solution remains the only viable path to long-term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

‘Wrong decision’: Pocock joins anti-Israel protesters outside parliament

Independent senator David Pocock joined peaceful anti-Israel protesters on the front lawns of Parliament House, alongside several Greens senators, including the party’s leader, Larissa Waters.

Protesters carried large signs featuring messages including “stop arming Israel”, “arrest Herzog” and “justice for Palestine”.

Pocock stressed Australians’ right to protest and questioned the Albanese government’s decision to invite Herzog to Australia.

“We saw what happened in Sydney and there is a worrying clampdown on protest across this country,” he said in response to footage of violent clashes between police and demonstrators.

“I also think it was the wrong decision to invite President Herzog at a time when we have seen so much strain on communities, tension in communities across the country.”

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi was among the speakers addressing the crowd, draped in a keffiyeh, a black and white scarf representing Palestinian identity or solidarity.

Mark Gwynneth, a protester in Canberra, said the invitation left him “dumbfounded” and ensured the long-time Labor voter would “never, ever vote” for the Albanese government again.

“I’m disgusted that the government is allowing a war criminal, invited to this country and being allowed into our Parliament House,” he told SBS News.

“We should be arresting him and sending him off to be charged with war crimes.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, but Herzog is not — and is granted customary immunity under international law as a visiting head of state.

Another protester condemned the politicisation of the Bondi attack, stating that linking it with “the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and indeed in Palestine is quite wrong”.

“Herzog should have been here to grieve and to mourn, but instead he’s politicised the process and is advocating, in the highly political way, the cause of Israel and the oppression of the Palestinians,” he said.

A woman who formerly served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said she has struggled to watch Israeli actions in Gaza.

“Over two years, I’ve been watching children, families being slaughtered in Gaza. I’m from Israel. I served in the IDF. I was lied to, I was told that we were the most moral army in the world. I had no idea.”

— With additional reporting by Jessica Wang.

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