Israeli President Herzog Australia Visit Sparks Protests and Debate Over Right to Demonstrate
Thousands expected to march as Palestinian Australians call Albanese invitation a slap in the face
The visit, scheduled for Monday, has prompted nationwide protest plans, with thousands expected to march across Australia. The announcement comes at a particularly sensitive moment, with many Palestinian Australians still grieving relatives killed in Gaza.
Shamikh Badra, a Palestinian Australian, told protesters at a Sydney rally that he believes his brother, sister-in-law, and their four children lie buried under the rubble of their home in Gaza. He presumes they were buried alive.
The protests have also reignited debate over the right to demonstrate in Australia. Unlike many democracies, Australia has no explicit constitutional right to protest, leaving individual states to legislate their own protections—some of which are becoming stricter.
In New South Wales, new laws have curtailed the ability for protesters to march in certain areas, leading to a constitutional challenge currently before the courts.
Analysis
Why This Matters
The Herzog visit encapsulates the domestic tensions Australia faces over its response to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Albanese framing of the visit as promoting unity sits uneasily with communities who have lost family members in Gaza.
Background
The invitation was extended following the January antisemitic attack in Bondi, positioning the visit as a gesture of solidarity with Jewish Australians. However, the timing—amid ongoing violence in Gaza—has made the gesture controversial.
Key Perspectives
For Jewish Australians, the visit represents important solidarity after a traumatic attack on their community. For Palestinian Australians, it feels like a political endorsement of a government they hold responsible for civilian deaths in Gaza.
What to Watch
How police manage Monday protests under NSW restrictive new laws could set precedents for future demonstrations. The constitutional challenge to these laws may also reach critical stages.