Live updates: Israeli president arrives in Sydney to start Australian visit

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has told Sky News "this is a welcome visit" from Isaac Herzog.

She said it was an opportunity for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government to "reset a strained relationship with Israel".

"But more importantly, it's an opportunity for every Australian to stand with Jewish Australians who just a few short weeks ago were in absolute pain and distress ... they still are," she said.

She advised people planning to protest to "just stay home".

"Let's just make sure those protesters acknowledge that, in a country where you do have the right to protest, there are times you just need to step back and just let the hope shine through," she said.

Albanese invited Herzog to Australia in the wake of the terror attack at Bondi Beach in December. He has argued it is intended to foster unity.

"The visit of President Herzog is to support the Jewish community at what has been a very difficult time," Albanese said on Saturday.

— Josie Harvey

Sydney protest organisers Palestine Action Group (PAG) launched a last-minute bid yesterday to dispute the NSW government's use of special powers during Isaac Herzog's visit.

The challenge is expected to be heard in the NSW Supreme Court before a planned march from Sydney Town Hall this evening.

The government's decision to designate Herzog's visit a major event grants police expanded powers to manage crowd safety and shut down parts of the "major events area".

PAG organiser Josh Lees arrived at court on Monday morning, telling reporters the group was not seeking confrontation or conflict with police.

"We're calling on them, though, to facilitate a fast, peaceful march from Town Hall to NSW parliament. We haven't convinced them of that yet," he said, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Rallies protesting Herzog's visit have been organised in more than two dozen locations around the country today. Thousands are expected to attend the rally in Sydney, according to organisers.

Under the Major Events Act, failure to comply with police directions could result in fines of up to $5,500.

— Josie Harvey

Sydneysiders have been advised that road closures will be in place in the CBD and eastern suburbs until Thursday amid police operations and planned protests over Herzog's visit.

More than 3,000 police are expected to be deployed across Sydney during the trip.

Transport for NSW has advised that operations could change at short notice on Monday, and both traffic and public transport could face delays in the afternoon. Some buses will be affected and diverted from their regular routes. Changes will be signposted at bus stops.

Motorists are encouraged to check Live Traffic NSW for the latest information on road closures and clearways, while public transport passengers should check TransportNSW.info for the latest updates.

Special event clearways will be in effect across the city and in several other locations.

"Please check signs carefully before parking to avoid being towed," Transport for NSW said.

The following bus routes will be impacted:

Circular Quay buses

Buses that usually run to and from Circular Quay will start and end trips at Martin Place. Buses to the city will end at Elizabeth St Stand C at Martin Place.

Routes affected include 304, 333, 343, 392N and 396.

Buses leaving the city will start from Elizabeth St, Stand E.

People can take the light rail or trains to continue trips between Martin Place and Circular Quay until 2pm Thursday.

Bondi Beach

Routes 333 and 380 will be diverting around closures in Bondi Beach until 11.30am today. Stops on Campbell Pde will be missed between north and south Bondi.

Queens Park

Route 356 will miss some stops along Queens Park Rd on Tuesday between 9.30am and 2.30pm.

— Josie Harvey

The Jewish Council of Australia has published an open letter in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age today opposing Isaac Herzog's visit.

The group said the letter had been signed by more than 1,000 Jewish Australian academics, legal professionals, artists and community leaders. It calls on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to rescind his invitation.

It argues that welcoming Herzog to Australia undermines Australia's commitment to international law and risks deepening divisions in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.

"By framing this visit as providing support for Jewish Australians, the Prime Minister has politicised our grief and ignored the thousands of Jewish people who stand for Palestinian human rights and against Israel's atrocities," the group's executive officer Sarah Schwartz said.

"Australia's recognition of the State of Palestine is a hollow gesture if we now welcome the head of the state that is actively destroying Palestinian sovereignty."

The Jewish Council of Australia was established after Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel in 2023 and Israel's subsequent military offensive in Gaza. The group has been critical of Israel's actions in Gaza.

— Josie Harvey

Israeli President Isaac Herzog touched down in Sydney earlier this morning with his wife, first lady Michal Herzog.

Israel's ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, received the couple at the airport with his wife Tal Maimon.

The Israeli embassy shared several images of the arrival on social media and welcomed Herzog to Australia.

A police-escorted motorcade left the airport shortly afterwards.

— Josie Harvey

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has arrived in Sydney for the first day of his Australian visit.

Herzog was invited to Australia by Governor-General Sam Mostyn at the request of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the Bondi terror attack in December, in which 15 people were killed during a Jewish Hanukkah event.

Herzog will meet with politicians and Jewish community leaders during the four-day trip, some of whom have said the president's visit will bring great comfort.

Rallies protesting Herzog's visit are planned across the country for this evening, including in Sydney, where protest restrictions are in place and NSW Premier Chris Minns has formally declared the visit a major event, granting police extra powers to block movement in the city centre.

Protest organisers have launched a challenge to the declaration in the NSW Supreme Court, with a hearing scheduled for Monday morning.

We'll keep you updated on the developments throughout the day.

— Alex Gallagher, Olivia Di Iorio