Rejecting criticism of PM Albanese, Michal Herzog says he’s ‘been changed’ by Sydney massacre

Michal Herzog, in Australia with her husband President Isaac Herzog, says she believes Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “has been changed” by the Islamic terrorist massacre of 15 people at a Hanukkah event in December, and rejects criticisms — including by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — that he has not spoken out effectively against antisemitism.

Speaking to Army Radio, she argues this is not the case, and notes that Albanese showed concern and empathy in meetings this week with the families of the Bondi Beach victims. She notes that the massacre was the worst terrorist attack in Australian history, and says she believes the country as a whole has been changed by it.

And she says that the fact that Albanese did not make a speech at a Chabad memorial event for the victims yesterday, instead reading out the names of those who were killed, was “the decision of the community.”

She also says that the protests against President Herzog’s visit are being mounted by anti-Israel extremists and do not reflect the wider mood in Australia.

Michal Herzog also says the Jewish community remains in deep shock over the massacre. She says some members of the community asked the Herzogs at an event today whether they should move to Israel or stay in Australia. The Herzogs replied that Israel would always want to see Jews moving there, she says, but that Jews must also be assured of the ability to live safe and public lives as Jews everywhere in the Diaspora.