The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Thousands of people rallied across Australia on Monday to protest the arrival of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose multi-city trip is aimed at showing solidarity with the country’s Jewish community after a deadly mass shooting last year, Reuters reported.
Herzog is visiting Australia this week at the invitation of
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, following the Dec. 14 attack at a Hanukkah
celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.
The visit has drawn criticism from pro-Palestinian groups,
who accuse Herzog of complicity in civilian deaths in Gaza. Demonstrations were
held in cities and towns nationwide Monday evening.
In Sydney, thousands filled a square in the central business
district, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans and listening to speakers. “The
Bondi massacre was terrible but from our Australian leadership there’s been no
acknowledgment of the Palestinian people and the Gazans,” said Jackson Elliott,
30, of Sydney. “Herzog has dodged all the questions about the occupation … he
is complicit.”
Police maintained a heavy presence, with a helicopter
overhead and officers on horseback. Authorities said about 3,000 officers will
be deployed across Sydney during Herzog’s visit.
