From the Liveblog of
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Herzog lands in Australia for solidarity visit after Bondi attack, will meet PM, Jewish community
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleNava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog land in Australia to kick off an official visit at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, following the December terror shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15 people.
Herzog’s office says in a statement that he will visit Jewish communities across Australia “to express solidarity and offer strength to the community in the aftermath of the attack.”
The president will also hold official meetings with senior Australian officials, including Albanese, Governor-General Sam Mostyn and others “from across the political spectrum.”
The visit has drawn widespread opposition and organized protests from local anti-Israel groups calling for Herzog’s arrest.
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