From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 12, 2026
‘Death to Herzog’ graffiti found at Melbourne University as protests continue
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Graffiti calling for the death of President Isaac Herzog is found on a Melbourne University campus as the Australian city sees major protests on the final day of Herzog’s visit to the country.
The graffiti on the side of a building reads “Death to Herzog + Israel + Oz,” the latter a nickname for Australia, and includes an inverted triangle, which is a Hamas symbol. The graffiti, which has since been removed, has been referred to police.
“Racism, hatred and violence have no place in our society or our nation,” a spokesperson for the university says, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “We became aware of the offensive graffiti on the edge of our Parkville campus this morning and immediately sent cleaners who swiftly removed it.”
The Australasian Union of Jewish students says it is “deeply disturbed” by the graffiti.
“Calls for violence against any individual or nation are not ‘legitimate criticism’ of government policy,” the group says. “They cross a clear moral and legal line and have no place on a university campus.”
The statement adds, “We urge the University of Melbourne to investigate this incident thoroughly and to identify those responsible. At a time when Jewish students already feel unsafe on campus, incidents like this only contribute to a hostile and intimidating environment.”
Herzog is visiting Australia this week following an invitation from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the aftermath of the December 14 terror shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15.
The visit has attracted the ire of some people in Australia, who accuse Herzog of being complicit in civilian deaths in Gaza.
The Times of Israel Community.