Snipers, security increased for Israeli President Herzog’s Canberra leg of controversial visit

Isaac Herzog has been officially welcomed to Australia at a ceremony in Canberra, where police have amped up security as Israel’s head of state’s controversial visit enters its third day. Governor-General Sam Mostyn officially greeted the President at Government House, where snipers were positioned on the roof top as an added security measure. But Anthony Albanese, who was expected to attend the ceremony, did not publicly appear. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was on hand for the official signing and photograph instead. Mr Herzog, Ms Mostyn and Mr Marles later proceeded to the drawing room of Government House, where Mr Herzog signed the welcome book. Mr Albanese did not attend the talks. It’s understood this was because the Prime Minister was slated to meet the Israeli President later this afternoon. Ms Mostyn said she was “delighted” to welcome Mr and Ms Herzog to Government House, and presented a photo of Mr Herzog’s father Chaim Herzog during his trip to Australia in 1986 when he stayed at Government House. Mr Herzog said he was “honoured to see his father’s photo here”. Ms Mostyn described Government House as a “place of peace where all are welcome”. “I think it’s terribly important your visit stands with those who are grieving,” she said. Mr Herzog said both Australia and Israel “share the need to fight anti-Semitism with no doubts … so we uproot this phenomenon,” adding that he shares “the hope that we can bring the relations between our nations on a renewed path”. Anti-Israel protests have dominated the headlines of the visit since the President arrived on Monday. Mr Herzog described his state visit as a “great moment” in the relations between Australia and Israel. ”I know how much you spend time in consoling (sic) and supporting the Jewish community.” Mr Herzog said to Ms Mostyn. “They’ve been very appreciative of that, as well as the steps taken by your government following that. “We both share the need to fight anti-Semitism with no doubts and with a clear mind, so that we uproot this terrible phenomenon. “And we also share the hope that we can bring the relations between our nations on a renewed path.” Israel and Australia had a “long history” of friendship, he added, referring to the role of Australian soldiers in the British occupation of Palestine from 1917, which led to the signing of the Balfour Declaration and pledge of British support to the creation of a Jewish state. Mr Herzog was due to attend an official lunch with the Governor-General. Pomp and ceremony for official welcome President Herzog arrived at Government House for the official welcome at 11.30am, the first of multiple engagements with senior Australian officials. Although Anthony Albanese was spotted early on, he was not on hand for the official photographs taken at the signing of the official visitors book. Senior politicians including Speaker Milton Dick, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley were in attendance, as well as Jewish MP Mark Dreyfus, Australia’s special envoy to combat anti-Semitism Jillian Segal and Governor-General Sam Mostyn. Israel’s outdoing ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, also attended the event, as well as senior bureaucrats including the secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Steven Kennedy, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Betty Pavelich and Paul Kenny, Special Operation Command, who represented the Defence Force Chief. Mr Herzog, who was accompanied by his wife Michal, was welcomed by a ceremonial 21-gun salute by the Federation Guard and followed an inspection of the guard. He later signed the official visitors’ book and had photographs taken alongside Ms Mostyn and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles. Arrivals were closely monitored and only pre-approved people were allowed into Government House ahead of Mr Herzog’s arrival. Protesters positioned at the Government House lookout could be heard yelling in the background. Ms Mostyn and the Prime Minister officially invited Mr Herzog to Australia to mourn with the Jewish community in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack in which 15 innocents were killed and dozens more injured. However, protesters accuse the ceremonial head of state of overseeing a genocide in Gaza, an allegation Israel vehemently rejects. On Monday evening, an anti-Israel rally of thousands in Sydney turned into clashes with police, as sections of the crowd attempted to march on from Town Hall, despite a court ruling against that. Protests were held in other cities, while a second rally was held in Sydney to protest the police actions on Monday. He will travel to Melbourne on Thursday. Greens MP blames Minns for violence A NSW state Greens MP has blamed Premier Chris Minns after she was injured while protesting at that event. Central Coast MP Abigail Boyd has regularly joined weekly pro-Palestine protests in Sydney and was present at the rally against Isaac Herzog’s visit on Monday night. Clashes broke out between police and protesters, resulting in 27 arrests and dozens of reported injuries. Posting a photo of herself in a neck brace on social media, Ms Boyd said Mr Minns was responsible for her injury. “I blame you (Chris Minns),” she wrote. Mr Minns has defended the actions of police, who have argued that while the majority of protesters were peaceful, some were seeking violence and testing approved rally boundaries. Grace Tame backlash grows Backlash has continued to grow against 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame after she led protesters in chanting “globalise the intifada” Sydney’s mass demonstration on Monday. “We have to continue to mobilise, and we have to continue to globalise,” Ms Tame told crowds. “Say it with me, from Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the intifada.” The chant has become commonplace at pro-Palestine demonstrations the world over and is widely deemed anti-Semitic for its violent connotations. It has been banned in Queensland and a similar ban is being discussed in NSW. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said on Wednesday that Ms Tame should be prosecuted and stripped of the national honour, which she received for her fierce advocacy for survivors of sexual assault. “She should be prosecuted for inciting violence and hate towards our Jewish community, President Herzog’s visit should be a time of healing in the wake of the Bondi attack and what we’ve seen on our streets, unfortunately, is reinforcing that global perspective that our country is not safe for Jewish people,” she told Seven’s Sunrise. “The fact remains that removing a little badge from her lapel actually won’t change the fact that she is leader, particularly with women, and has a lot of influence.” Appearing opposite Senate McKenzie, cabinet minister Clare O’Neil urged against “a national pile-on onto Grace Tame”, pointing out that “every single child in our country is safer today because of her willingness to talk about traumatic incidents of sexual abuse, events that occurred in her childhood”. “I also feel very strongly that no Australian today should be on our streets using words like ‘globalise the intifada’,” she said. Intifada is an Arabic word for uprising that has a particularly violent history. The First Intifada of 1987-1990 was a period marked by Palestinian protests and violence targeting Israelis. The Second Intifada of 2000-2005 was worse, with some 1000 Israelis killed in shootings and suicide bombings. Thousands of Palestinians were killed in Israeli responses. Herzog touches down in Canberra Mr Herzog has been greeted on the tarmac in Canberra by senior officials, including Anthony Albanese and Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon. Jewish Labor MP Mark Dreyfus was also among the welcoming group and received a hug from Mr Herzog. The President was swiftly whisked away into a government car. Capital braces for protests Police in Canberra are on high alert as they prepare for protests against Mr Herzog’s visit to the capital. The country’s biggest cities have been rocked by demonstrations, some violent, since Isaac Herzog arrival this week. Protesters accuse the ceremonial head of state of presiding over a country committing genocide – an allegation Israel vehemently rejects. Australian and Israeli authorities have kept the President’s schedule tightly under wraps, but widespread road closures are expected throughout the day. Scores of police officers, including heavily armed tactical officers, have been deployed to Parliament House ahead of protests planned for 11am. In a statement released overnight, Australian Federal Police Association president Alex Caruana said AFP members would be on the ground to ensure protest activity remains lawful and to prevent unlawful or harmful behaviour. “Peaceful protest is a core democratic right,” he said, adding that Australians “can express strong views while remaining lawful, safe, and respectful”. “Our members are there to protect everyone’s right to be heard. They are not there to be abused or assaulted.” Mr Caruana also said officers would act professionally and fairly. “If you want your message to cut through, do it lawfully. Do it without intimidation, violence, or threats,” he said. “Respect costs nothing. It keeps people safe and protects everyone’s right to protest. “Any assault, spitting, throwing objects, or attempts to breach police lines will be managed accordingly. “Those types of actions do not advance a cause, and they put the community at risk, including bystanders and fellow activists and protesters.” More to come