‘We shall overcome this evil together’ – Herzog at Bondi memorial

Israeli President Isaac Herzog began his visit to Australia on Monday morning at the site of the Bondi Beach terror attack, in which 15 people were killed and more than 40 wounded during a Chanukah gathering.

Speaking at Bondi, Herzog described antisemitism as a “global emergency” and praised ordinary Australians who rushed to save lives during the violence.

The visit followed an invitation from Australian leaders and Jewish community representatives in the aftermath of the massacre, the deadliest terror attack in the nation’s history.

After laying a wreath, Herzog and his wife, Michal Herzog, placed stones brought from Jerusalem at the memorial in accordance with Jewish tradition, describing them as symbols of enduring memory and the unbreakable bond between the living and the dead.

“The stones will remain here at Bondi for eternity, a sacred memory of the victims and a reminder that, between good people of all faiths and all nations, we will continue to hold strong in the face of terror, violence and hatred,” he said. “We shall overcome this evil together.”

Herzog also met privately with survivors of the attack and families of those killed, offering condolences and listening to their accounts at the Bondi site.

Premier Chris Minns and Will Nemesh, the Mayor of Waverley, also laid wreaths at the memorial. They were joined by Doron Almog, chairman of the Jewish Agency, and Yaakov Hagoel, chairman of the World Zionist Organisation who are part of the president’s entourage.

Herzog said the attack had deliberately targeted Australian Jews but had also struck at the foundations of democratic society.

“These vile terrorists specifically and deliberately targeted our sisters and brothers, Australian Jews. Yet this was also an attack on all Australians,” he said. “They attacked the values that our democracies treasure: the sanctity of human life, freedom of religion, tolerance, dignity and respect.”

He praised the actions of bystanders who intervened during the attack, describing their response as an example of humanity at its best.

“In the face of this evil, we saw the very best of humanity,” Herzog said. “Here on Bondi, surfboards became stretchers as extraordinary, ordinary people ran into danger and saved innocent lives.”

Among those killed were 10-year-old Matilda and 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, who had escaped Nazi persecution in Europe before migrating to Australia. Herzog said Kleytman had survived the Holocaust only to be murdered decades later for being Jewish.

“One thing has become clear,” Herzog said. “Hatred that starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews. That is why the current rise in antisemitism around the world is a global emergency, and we must all act to fight against it.”

He welcomed steps taken by Australian authorities since the attack, including changes to hate speech laws and security measures, saying leaders across all sectors of society had a responsibility to respond clearly and consistently.

“Silence in the face of hatred is complicity,” he said.

Asked whether more could have been done to prevent the Bondi attack, Herzog said he shared the frustrations expressed by families and community leaders, noting that he and others had warned for years about a global surge in antisemitism across democratic nations.

“This has to be a consistent, ongoing effort to change reality,” he said.

After the president finished speaking, members of his delegation gathered at the memorial to sing Hatikvah, recited kaddish and sang Kol ha’olam kulo (the whole world is a very narrow bridge) and Am Yisrael Chai (the people of Israel live).

The visit has sparked protests across Australia, with rallies planned in Sydney and other capital cities.

Security has been heightened across Sydney during the visit, with police deploying helicopters and specialist units at key locations. A major events declaration has granted officers additional powers to restrict movement in parts of the city centre.

A last-minute court hearing before Justice Robertson Wright is scheduled to consider a legal challenge by protest organisers, who argue the powers are excessive and unlawful. Police have warned demonstrators they will be arrested if they breach public assembly restrictions put in place following the Bondi attack.

Herzog is expected to meet federal and state political leaders and Jewish community representatives before continuing his official program in Melbourne.

with AAP