Israeli president condemns rising hatred, exposes extremist hostility while praising Australia’s silent pro-peace majority.
Isaac Herzog concluded a tense four-day visit to Australia on Thursday, warning that antisemitism has reached “frightening” levels following a string of violent attacks targeting Jewish communities.
The visit followed the devastating December 14 terror attack at Bondi Beach, where 15 people were murdered in an act that shocked the nation. Herzog described the surge in anti-Jewish hatred as deeply troubling, pointing to escalating rhetoric and violence in major cities.
Despite protests in Sydney — where police clashed with demonstrators and deployed pepper spray — Herzog stressed that extremist hostility does not represent the broader public.
“There is a silent majority that seeks peace and respects the Jewish community,” he emphasized in remarks to local media.
Recent months have seen alarming incidents, including the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, arson attacks on vehicles in Woollahra, and swastikas defacing synagogues in Allawah and Newtown. Jewish institutions have increasingly required heightened security amid growing threats.
Herzog said he arrived with a message of goodwill, urging dialogue and cooperation while standing firmly against hatred. He expressed hope that tensions would ease and that Australia’s longstanding friendship with Israel would endure beyond the unrest.
