Wong defends Israeli president visit amid threats and protests

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has defended the decision to host Israeli President Isaac Herzog, saying the visit is intended to support Australia’s Jewish community following the Bondi Beach terror attack, despite threats, protests and growing political criticism.

“President Herzog is being invited to Australia to be with and provide support to Australia’s Jewish community in the wake of the worst on-shore terror attack and antisemitic attack that we have seen,” Senator Wong told reporters in Canberra.

She said the government understood there were strongly held and differing views about the visit but urged Australians to recognise the circumstances surrounding it.

“We are a democracy where people have different views,” she said. “I would ask people to keep the context and purpose of this visit in mind.”

Asked whether the government had received legal advice ahead of the visit, Senator Wong said, “The government always considers legal advice in relation to our obligations.”

Mr Herzog is due to arrive on Sunday for a five-day visit, which is expected to include meetings with federal leaders and families affected by the December Bondi attack.

Security concerns have intensified after Sydney teenager Darcy Tinning, 19, was charged over alleged online threats to kill Mr Herzog and US President Donald Trump.

A magistrate has imposed strict bail conditions, barring Tinning from approaching or contacting either leader and restricting him from leaving his home unless accompanied by his parents.

Prosecutors told the court the alleged threat against Mr Herzog was made in a highly charged climate following the Bondi attack and carried an unacceptable risk of escalation.

Defence lawyer Brendan Green accepted the comments were “completely inappropriate” and could carry serious consequences but said they were not directed at a specific individual at the time.

The visit has drawn criticism from within Labor ranks. Federal MP Ed Husic said he was uncomfortable with the invitation, citing concerns about social cohesion.

NSW Labor upper house MP Sarah Kaine has also criticised the visit and confirmed she plans to attend a protest in Sydney.

Outside federal politics, NSW Labor upper house MP Sarah Kaine has also criticised the visit and said she plans to attend a Sydney protest. “Given that he has signed bombs that have targeted civilians and have killed Gaza’s children, I don’t think it’s appropriate,” she told AAP. “I understand that the Jewish community is grieving, but there is a large population of Palestinians in Australia who are also grieving and this is traumatic for this man to be in our country.”

“I understand the Jewish community is grieving,” she said. “But there are also many Palestinian Australians who are grieving, and this is traumatic for them.”

Despite the internal dissent, senior Labor figures have backed the visit. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the government’s decision, saying Australia should “look towards uniting” while recognising the solemn nature of Mr Herzog’s engagements with the community. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said Mr Herzog “will be a welcome and honoured guest” whose visit is “particularly significant to Australia’s Jewish community” following the attack.

Tinning is due to return to court on April 7.

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with Kat Wong, Farid Farid and Zac de Silva/AAP On: 05/02/2026 16:13