Melbourne Marks Israeli President’s Final Day With Protests
Melbourne’s bustling central business district buzzed with a growing crowd on Thursday evening as protesters gathered near one of the city’s main railway stations. The scene was charged and evocative, with many participants sporting keffiyeh scarves and waving Palestinian flags in defiance.
The rallies took place against the backdrop of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s final day in Australia. The visit had already seen protests erupt in Canberra, while Sydney faced confrontations between protesters and authorities over violent clashes that left 27 arrested.
Herzog’s trip to the nation sparked outrage among some Australians who accused him of complicity in civilian deaths in Gaza. A United Nations Commission of Inquiry last year concluded Israel has committed genocide there, with Herzog and other top officials implicated in inciting these actions—accusations Israel dismissed as scandalous.
At a rally in Melbourne’s central business district, Nevile Steer, 69, traveled from suburban McCrae to join the demonstration. “My concern is for people in Palestine and particularly in Gaza,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Elijah Fokkens, 20, shared a similar sentiment: “It’s hard to sit by and do nothing when you see the destruction of Gaza on social media.” He added, “I think it’s important to show up and demand our government does better.”
In another part of Melbourne, graffiti appeared on a university campus calling for Herzog’s death. While police referred this as an isolated incident unrelated to planned protests, the message underscored public sentiment.
Herzog himself addressed these tensions, asserting in an interview with Channel Seven that there was “frightening” antisemitism in Australia. However, he also spoke at a Jewish community event where he said it was “obscure and odd” such heavy security measures were needed outside the venue.
Police and protesters clashed violently on Monday evening, leading to 27 arrests. Both sides accused each other of assault before police employed tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the crowd in Sydney’s central business district.
Herzog’s visit continued to stir controversy as it marked his final days in Australia. Despite efforts by some Australians to seek dialogue with Israel, the recent protests highlighted deep divisions within the nation surrounding this controversial figure.