Man pleads not guilty to intimidation charges during Herzog visit
A Sydney man has pleaded not guilty to charges of intimidation and offensive conduct following incidents during the February visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Rajab Ali, 45, appeared in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday accused of intimidating a security guard at a Jewish early learning centre in Bondi Junction and using offensive language near a school. He is also charged with using a mobile phone when not permitted.
President Herzog is greeted by children at Moriah College (Photos: Maayan Toaf/GPO)
Police allege Ali was first seen driving a grey Mercedes station wagon through central Sydney during President Herzog’s visit to Australia, which began on 9 February. Officers claim he stopped his vehicle, filmed the president and directed offensive language towards the visiting head of state before leaving the area.
According to police, the same vehicle was seen the following day repeatedly driving past a Jewish early learning centre in Bondi Junction shortly before 4pm. Officers allege Ali stopped near the centre, filmed the premises and used intimidating and offensive language towards a security guard.
Ali, from Canterbury in Sydney’s south-west, was arrested on 12 February after police inquiries.
He has been granted bail under strict conditions, including that he not approach Jewish places of worship and refrain from using social media until the case returns to court.
President Herzog’s visit came weeks after the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach in December 2025 and prompted large protests in Sydney. Some demonstrations led to clashes between protesters and police, and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission later began examining aspects of the police response.
Ali’s case will return to Waverley Local Court in April.
