Report: Pro-Palestinian groups urge Australia to arrest Herzog during upcoming visit

Pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel organizations in Australia are calling on their government to arrest President Isaac Herzog upon his arrival in the country next week and to investigate him over alleged Israeli “crimes against humanity and genocide,” the Walla news site reports.

Herzog is expected to travel to Australia on February 8 for an official visit at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Governor-General Sam Mostyn, and the Australian Jewish community, during which he is set to meet government officials, bereaved families and members of the Jewish community following the Hanukkah Bondi Beach terror attack.

According to the report, groups across Australia are also planning a “national day of protest” during the four-day visit.

Among those urging Australian authorities to open a criminal investigation or arrest Herzog upon his arrival are the Australian Centre for International Justice, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, and several pro-Palestinian activist groups. Anti-Israel group Palestine Action and Amnesty International’s Australian branch have also joined the calls, Walla says.

The report adds that the Hind Rajab Foundation has submitted legal requests to Australian officials seeking an investigation into Herzog for alleged incitement to genocide and involvement in war crimes under Australian law.

While most mainstream Jewish organizations in Australia support the visit, the small, anti-Zionist, Jewish Council of Australia has called on the government to cancel Herzog’s invitation, arguing his statements since the outbreak of the Gaza war raise concerns of violations of international law, according to Walla.