‘Beauty and resilience’: Herzog praises Jewish Aussies

Israel’s president has concluded his trip to Australia feeling “hope in the air”, as he directly addressed protesters who have opposed his visit.

Isaac Herzog’s closely guarded visit to Melbourne on Thursday, where he met with senior politicians and community leaders, marked the final leg of his four-day trip to Australia.

Inside a heavily secured building in the inner-city suburb of Southbank, surrounded by a large police presence and neighbouring blocks locked down, the president addressed more than 500 Jewish and Victorian leaders and senior school students.

Mr Herzog said his visit to Melbourne had ignited a renewed sense of hope.

“I must tell you that we return to Israel feeling empowered because we have seen firsthand the beauty and resilience of this community,” he said.

Mr Herzog said discussions with the Australian leadership to address “vile rhetoric, misinformation and shameful antisemitism” were conducted with candour, open-mindedness and a great deal of mutual respect.

The president’s trip has sparked widespread controversy and national protests, including a mass demonstration that turned violent in Sydney on Monday.

My Herzog said the large security detail outside the secret venue on Thursday to protect Jews from harassment and disturbance was “obscure and odd”.

“I say to all those protesters outside, go protest in front of the Iranian embassy or whichever embassy they have,” Mr Herzog said to a cheering crowd, saying the “empire of evil” had killed tens of thousands of their own people.

Mr Herzog had earlier met with Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner and Premier Jacinta Allan at Government House.

Outside, a large contingent of police and security formed as about two dozen protesters turned out to protest his arrival.

Donning black hoods and masks, police costumes and keffiyeh scarves, the group heckled as the Israeli president arrived in a large motorcade.

Police ordered the group back before the protesters unfurled banners which read, “stop committing genocide in Gaza” and “all colonies will fall” and chanted “from the river to the sea”.

Melbourne University’s Parkville campus was spray-painted with graffiti reading “Death to Herzog” on Thursday morning.

Ms Allan said the graffiti was “absolutely contemptible” and the reason for the president’s visit was to comfort the Jewish community after the Bondi terror attack.

“We all want peace to come and causing hurt and grief and indeed violence like we’ve seen … in Sydney, that does not bring peace,” she said.

A university spokesperson said the graffiti was removed soon after staff became aware of it and the university stood firmly against anti-Semitism, racism, hatred and violence.

A demonstration against Mr Herzog’s visit at Flinders Street Station is expected to remain peaceful, according to police who said there was no specific threat to the president.

Police have been given special search powers in Melbourne, with a planned protest in the city’s CBD expected to attract more than 5000 people.

The powers apply to specific areas Mr Herzog will attend while in Melbourne.

He was invited to Australia by the federal government following the Bondi terror attack but has received a hostile reception from protesters and some politicians over Israel’s actions in Gaza.

At least nine people were charged and 27 arrested after protesters were punched and pushed by police when an anti-Herzog rally turned violent in Sydney’s CBD on Monday.

Labor Friends of Palestine Victoria committee member Kate Shuttleworth called for a peaceful protest in Melbourne, urging the increased search powers to be used with caution.

Mr Herzog met with survivors of the Bondi attack in Sydney, before being hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra.

The Israeli president has described his four-day trip to Australia as very emotional, saying it was important to visit the community and express condolences.

President Herzog’s address in Melbourne:e.Also in attendance at the event were the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, and the Leader of the Opposition in Victoria, Jess Wilson. Israeli and Australian Jewish leaders in attendance included the Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, Yaakov Hagoel; President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, Jeremy Leibler; CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia, Alon Cassuto; President of Zionism Victoria, Elyse Schachna; and CEO of the UIA, Peter Horovitz.

President Herzog’s remarks:

“Being here today in Melbourne, surrounded by Jewish school children, by dear friends and allies, in the presence of the Premier of Victoria — I feel that hope in the air. Michal and I came to Australia on a journey of solidarity, following the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. We came here to be with you, to look you in the eye, to embrace, and to remember, together. We wept a great deal over these few days.

”Still, I must tell you that we return to Israel feeling empowered, because we have seen firsthand the beauty and resilience of this community, and its significance in the eyes of all Australians of goodwill. We rediscovered the famous spirit of Australian Jews, which is simply unbreakable!

“I take this opportunity to send heartfelt wishes to all those injured, all who are healing, including Gefen Bitton, who ran towards the terrorists at Bondi, was severely wounded, and is recovering back in Israel.

“This week I held meetings with the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader, governors and premiers, and many opinion-shapers. I can tell you that all discussions with the Australian leadership were conducted with candor, open-mindedness, and a great deal of mutual respect. I found serious partners who are willing to hold serious conversations and address the vile rhetoric, the misinformation, and the shameful antisemitism head-on.

“To me, it’s obscure and odd that we need to have so many incredible police officers protecting us for the inherent right of us to gather here as proud Jews, to host the President of the only Jewish state on Earth without any harassment and disturbance. And I say to all those protesters outside, go protest in front of the Iranian embassy or whichever embassy they have. For heaven’s sake, they killed and butchered around fifty thousand, tens of thousands of their own people, operating a whole machine of an empire of evil against us. We, the State of Israel, which is protecting the free world, is literally protecting the free world and its values by combating this empire of evil.

“I urge all Jews in this marvellous country and all Jews around the world to keep your Jewish hearts on your sleeves and wear your Zionism with pride. Do not be afraid to show who you are. This is a struggle for Jewish identity as much as it is a struggle for the identity of Australia and the free world. The resolve and the solidarity of this community are the key to the future we share, in Melbourne and in Jerusalem!

“I can also now say that while we came to give strength, we leave more strengthened than before. We came to offer inspiration—and we depart for Jerusalem inspired and energized. We came to remind you that you are not alone here in the Diaspora—and we leave understanding, more than ever before, that we have each other! We came bringing comfort, and we leave uplifted. This is what I will relay back home.

“We depart having been reminded, time and time again, that Israel has been the focal point of your prayers, your love, and your longing, like millions of Jews around the world through the generations. We are reminded of our responsibility to uphold the values we cherish, to be the Israel our parents and grandparents envisioned.

“Spending this time with you, sisters and brothers of Australia, has been a privilege. As our trip draws to an end here in Melbourne, and we head back home, I am reminded that for Jews, hope is not wishful thinking. It is a promise.”