Herzog to fly to Australia in wake of Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

President Isaac Herzog speaks during a ceremony marking the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, on December 14, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
President Isaac Herzog speaks during a ceremony marking the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, on December 14, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

President Isaac Herzog will take off on February 8 for Australia at the invitation of the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Governor-General Sam Mostyn, and the Australian Jewish community, Herzog’s office says.

The visit comes in the wake of the deadly shooting at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration last month, in which 15 people were killed.

Herzog will be accompanied by World Zionist Organization chief Yaakov Hagoel and Jewish Agency chairman Doron Almog.

He will meet Jewish communities and bereaved families, as well as senior Australian officials, his office says.

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