Israel’s President Meets Survivors Of Anti-Jewish Massacre In Australia Amid Tension Over Gaza Strike

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

JERUSALEM/CANBERRA (Worthy News) – Israeli President Isaac Herzog has met victims’ families and survivors of Australia’s worst-ever terrorist and antisemitic attack that killed more than a dozen people, amid mounting tensions between the two nations.

During his visit, protesters demanded Herzog’s arrest while Australia’s government demanded criminal charges over a reported 2024 Israeli airstrike on an aid convoy in Gaza that killed seven people, including an Australian aid worker, the country’s prime minister announced.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he conveyed the request to visiting Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a meeting earlier in the day.

The case centers on an April 1, 2024, Israeli drone strike on a World Central Kitchen aid convoy in Gaza that killed seven humanitarian workers, including Australian citizen Zomi Frankcom. The other victims included an American-Canadian dual national, a Palestinian, a Polish national, and three British security staff.

AUSTRALIA DEMANDS PROSECUTION OVER GAZA AID STRIKE

Four months after the incident, an Australian inquiry concluded the strike resulted from procedural failures and errors by the Israeli military. Albanese described the attack as a “tragedy and an outrage,” saying he had made clear Australia’s expectation of transparency in Israel’s ongoing investigation.

“We continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges,” Albanese told Parliament, defending Herzog’s visit as an opportunity to “raise the issue” directly with Israeli leadership.

There was no immediate public response from Herzog regarding Albanese’s request.

Speaking outside the prime minister’s office in Canberra, Herzog said his visit had been “very emotional” following the suffering caused by the December massacre in Sydney.

Herzog added that the visit was also meant to strengthen bilateral ties. “I think the relations between us do not depend only on the issue of Israel and the Palestinians and the conflict, but have a much broader base,” he said. “We should, together, make sure that it’s uplifted to new directions.”

PROTESTS ERUPT IN SYDNEY, CANBERRA

Hundreds of demonstrators waving Palestinian flags gathered outside Parliament House in Canberra, while thousands rallied earlier in Sydney and Melbourne as Herzog began his state visit. Protesters chanted “arrest Herzog,” accusing him of inciting violence in Gaza.

Mehreen Faruqi, deputy leader of the Greens party, told demonstrators Herzog was “not welcome in Australia,” condemning what she described as heavy-handed police tactics after officers used pepper spray and made arrests during earlier protests.

Police said 27 people were arrested during clashes in Sydney, with nine charged, mostly for assaulting officers.

Authorities had been granted expanded powers due to security concerns surrounding the high-profile visit.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns defended the police response, arguing that marches from Sydney Town Hall could have led to clashes with thousands of mourners attending a memorial event nearby with Herzog.

DETAILS OF BONDI BEACH TERROR ATTACK

The December 14 attack occurred during a Jewish cultural festival near Bondi Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, an area home to a significant Jewish community. Two gunmen opened fire on festivalgoers before engaging in a shootout with police, according to authorities and footage seen by Worthy News.

Fifteen people were killed and about 40 others wounded in what officials described as Australia’s worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years.

Investigators said the attackers were inspired by the extremist ideology of the so-called Islamic State group, though police stressed there was no evidence of direct operational support from abroad.

The attack was formally designated a terrorist act under Australian law. Only one of the two alleged gunmen survived the gun battle with the police. Naveed Akram has been charged with committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder, and multiple counts related to attempted murder.

Before returning to Israel, Herzog is scheduled to visit Melbourne, including the remains of the Adass Israel Synagogue, which was torched in late 2024. Australia has accused Iran of directing the arson attack and expelled Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi last August.

Despite the controversy, Albanese insisted dialogue remains essential. “That’s one of the reasons why you have dialogue in a respectful way; to get outcomes and to advance Australia’s national interests,” he told Parliament.

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