Thousands protest against Israeli President Herzog’s Australia visit

Demonstrators risk arrest if they join a pro-Palestine march from Sydney Town Hall to New South Wales Parliament.Published On 9 Feb 2026Palestine supporters have turned out across Australia to oppose a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who is in the country to commemorate victims of last year’s Bondi beach massacre.Thousands of people demonstrated in a square in Sydney’s business district on Monday, with more protests planned in cities and towns across the country in the evening.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Israeli security cabinet approves rules to increase control over West Banklist 2 of 3Hamas leader rejects disarmament while Israeli occupation of Gaza continueslist 3 of 3Who is Leqaa Kordia, the Columbia protester still in ICE detention?end of listDemonstrators risk arrest if they join a protest march late on Monday, organised by the Palestine-action-group" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="7602" data-entity-type="organization">Palestine Action Group from Sydney Town Hall to New South Wales Parliament, which falls in an area authorities have designated as a special protected area during Herzog’s visit.Palestine-action-group" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="7602" data-entity-type="organization">Palestine Action Group failed in a legal ‌challenge in a Sydney court on Monday against the restrictions placed on the demonstration.“We’re hoping we won’t have to use any powers, because we’ve been liaising very closely with the protest organisers,” Peter McKenna, New South Wales assistant police commissioner, told Nine News on Monday.Herzog speaks at Bondi BeachThe Israeli president began his four-day visit to Australia at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where he laid a wreath at a memorial for the victims of the December attack, which killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration. He also met survivors and the families of those killed.“This was also an attack ‌on all Australians,” Herzog said at the site of the attack. “They attacked the values that our democracies treasure, the sanctity of human life, the freedom of religion, tolerance, dignity and respect.”“I’m here to express solidarity, friendship, and love,” he added in comments to reporters.President Herzog and his wife, Michal, are escorted by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns as they lay a wreath for the victims of the Bondi Beach attack, in Sydney, Australia, February 9, 2026 [David Gray/AFP]In addition to Sydney, where 3,000 police personnel were to be deployed, Herzog also plans to visit Melbourne and the national capital, Canberra, before he returns to Israel on Thursday.