Teen ordered to avoid Israeli president after threats

Updated: 2:30pm

A teenager accused of threatening to kill Israel’s president ahead of his contentious visit to Australia has been ordered not to approach or contact the head of state.

A teenager has appeared in court after allegedly threatening Israeli President Isaac Herzog ahead of his contentious visit to Australia. Darcy Tinning, 19, was accused of threatening to shoot the head of state with a pistol and kill US President Donald Trump in a January 19 post on social media platform X.

His threat to Herzog included a violent remark referencing extinction, which federal prosecutors said constituted hate speech and risked inciting others with similar views.

The Newtown man was arrested on Wednesday and brought before a Sydney court on Thursday.

Given the Israeli president is set to arrive in Australia on Sunday, the prosecutor said the teen posed a risk to the community due to the violent nature of the threats.

She noted the threat to Herzog was made amid heightened tensions after the Bondi terror attack in December.

“The current heated climate, the unrest in the community, makes the threats very serious,” the prosecutor said.

“Unacceptable risks exist which cannot be mitigated if the defendant is released in this climate of political unrest.”

Tinning’s lawyer, Brendan Green, accepted his client’s comments were “completely inappropriate” and could result in significant jail time but stressed they were not directed at any particular people or group.

There was no real suggestion the teen would follow through on the threats, he said.

Magistrate Daniel Covington acknowledged the charges were serious but said the Newtown man had no history of violence or non-compliance.

He granted the 19-year-old bail under certain conditions which bar him from contacting or approaching either president subjected to his alleged threats.

He is also prohibited from leaving his home unless he is accompanied by his parents, with whom he lives.

The matter will return to court on April 7.

Herzog is visiting Australia to express solidarity with the Jewish community following the December 14 Bondi Beach terror attack and to meet with survivors, community leaders and government figures. He was invited by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a gesture of support after the mass shooting at a Chanukah event that killed 15 people.

During the five-day trip, he will meet with survivors of the terror attack, senior Australian politicians and Jewish community leaders.

Thousands of Australians are expected to take to the streets in every capital city to protest his visit.

 

By: Kat Wong and Farid Farid/AAP