The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) condemns the Australian Government’s decision to invite Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia.
This decision represents a grave moral failure and a direct insult to the hundreds of thousands of Australians who have spent more than two years protesting Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinians and demanding accountability under international law.
President Herzog is not a symbolic or ceremonial figure. As Israel’s Head of State throughout its genocidal assault on Gaza, he has made public statements widely condemned as genocidal intent, including asserting that an “entire nation” bears responsibility and that “there are no innocent civilians in Gaza” – language that legitimises collective punishment and mass civilian killing. Herzog was named in proceedings before the International Court of Justice for these incendiary remarks. He has also openly rejected Palestinian self-determination, declaring that a two-state solution would be a “reward to terrorists.”
Since the so-called ceasefire, more than 400 Palestinians have been killed. Israel’s theft of Palestinian land continues, alongside the ongoing blockade of food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid.
This invitation comes as governments move to expand protest and speech laws designed to silence opposition. Australians may be prevented from protesting Herzog’s visit and face criminal charges — a dangerous escalation that erodes democratic freedoms to shield a visiting foreign leader from accountability.
Australia must not welcome those who are active participants and proponents of Israel’s genocide and not reward war crimes with diplomatic invitations, nor suppress dissent to shield them from scrutiny.