Albanese defends Israeli president’s Australia visit

By Kye Halford • January 30, 2026

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s scheduled trip to Australia to commemorate victims of the Bondi shooting, amid expectation Herzog’s arrival will be met with protests from pro-Palestinian groups.

What we know:

  • When asked about the Israeli president’s upcoming visit at a press conference on Thursday, Albanese said “I certainly welcome him coming and I look forward to him visiting” (The Australian).

  • The prime minister also dismissed concerns about initial statements made by Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly, who came out in support of Herzog’s visit after previously stopping short of explicitly endorsing it (SBS).

  • Aly stated she “understood the significance of the visit” and honouring the victims of the anti-Semitic attack at Bondi, urging “unity”.

  • Pro-Palestine activists have been preparing protest actions in Australian cities in anticipation of Herzog’s visit to voice their opposition to Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza and settlement building in the West Bank (SMH).

  • Labor’s internal Friends of Palestine group has called on the federal government to revoke Herzog’s invitation, a call echoed by independent MP Sophie Scamps on Thursday who said the visit “risks igniting further division” (The Guardian).

  • Herzog will meet the families of victims of the Bondi attack and members of the Australian Jewish community during a visit to the country next month (Reuters).
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