The first day of Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia — as it happened

If you're just joining us, here's what you need to know about Israeli President Isaac Herzog's four-day visit.

• Herzog arrived in Sydney for an official state visit on Monday. He was invited by the Albanese government following the Bondi terror attack, which claimed 15 lives when two alleged gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah event in December
• The Israeli president visited Bondi, laying a wreath outside the pavilion in tribute to the victims. Addressing the media, he condemned the spread of antisemitism as a "global emergency"
• There is tightened security in Sydney, with Herzog accompanied by a police convoy as he travels across the city. Road closures are in place in parts of the CBD and eastern suburbs. More than 3,000 police have been deployed
• Protests organised by pro-Palestinian groups are planned across Australian capitals and regional centres on Monday afternoon
• The NSW state government declared Herzog's visit a major event, granting police extra powers to close designated areas and order people to move on. The Palestine Action Group has launched a Supreme Court challenge against the declaration, with proceedings still underway, hours before the protest is due to kick off
• The progressive Jewish Council of Australia published an open letter in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age opposing 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
• Other Jewish groups welcomed Herzog's visit. Alex Ryvchin, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive, said it would lift the spirits of the Jewish community

— Miles Proust

Issac Herzog entered Israel's parliament, the Knesset, in 2003 as a member of the centre-left Israeli Labor Party.

He was the party's leader from 2013 to 2018 and headed the Zionist Union alliance in the 2015 election, which failed to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

In 2021, the Knesset elected him president, a largely ceremonial role and roughly analogous to Australia's governor-general. He is the head of the Israeli state, but executive powers are vested with the prime minister and his cabinet.

As president, Herzog has largely reflected the policies of Netanyahu's right-wing coalition.

His visit is controversial due to the comments he has made about the Hamas-Israel war.

Last year, a United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which doesn't speak on behalf of the UN as a whole and has been sharply criticised by Israel, found Herzog, along with Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, had "incited the commission of genocide" in their speeches and statements.

The commission cited comments by Herzog at a press briefing days after Hamas' 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel, which triggered the Hamas-Israel war.

"It's an entire nation out there that is responsible," he said at the time.

While the comments were not a literal call for genocide, the commission found they could reasonably be interpreted as incitement to target Palestinians in Gaza as a whole.

Herzog vehemently denied that the remarks amounted to incitement and said they were taken out of context.

In December 2023, Herzog was also photographed writing the message "I rely on you" on an artillery shell intended for use in Gaza.

You can read more about Herzog and his Australian visit here:

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Who is Isaac Herzog, and why is his imminent Australian visit controversial?

— Arielle Richards

Security is tight in Sydney, with NSW Police deploying 3,000 officers for the duration of the visit, including 500 assigned to a demonstration this afternoon.

Road closures are in place in parts of Sydney's CBD and eastern suburbs, and Isaac Herzog has been accompanied by a police convoy as he travels across the city.

Police conducted a sweep of the area around the Bondi Pavilion, where Herzog laid flowers and addressed a crowd. Snipers were stationed on nearby rooftops, with a police boat on the water and a helicopter in the sky.

Footage seen by SBS News showed a police checkpoint on a street in the CBD, with all cars stopped and searched by police.

Campbell Parade in Bondi was partially closed on Monday. Source: AAP / Jessica Hromas

A police officer next to a barricade in Sydney's CBD. Credit: Quentin Theron

A sniper in position ahead of Herzog's arrival in Bondi. Source: AAP / Jessica Hromas

— Miles Proust

Isaac Herzog was asked during the press conference about a protest planned today "for people who are mourning 70,000 killed in Gaza, including 20,000 children".

"First of all, it's important for me to say that I've come here in goodwill, and in a message [to] the people of Australia. Australia and Israel are close friends and allies since the days of old," he said.

"These demonstrations, in most cases, what you hear and see comes to undermine and delegitimise our right, my nation's right, the nation which I am the head of state of, its mere existence.

"We did not seek that war on October 7, our nation was attacked terribly, and people were butchered, murdered, raped, burned, and abducted."

More than 1,200 people were killed during Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023, and more than 250 were taken hostage. Israel's subsequent war in Gaza has killed more than 71,000 people, according to Gaza's health ministry.

A protest planned by the Palestine Action Group is expected to take place in Sydney this evening to oppose Herzog's visit. The group is currently in the NSW Supreme Court challenging extraordinary police powers granted by NSW Premier Chris Minns in response to the protest. Similar protests will be held in other cities across the country.

— Josie Harvey

Isaac Herzog said he had seen a surge in antisemitism all over the world, including in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

When asked about frustrations from Bondi victims that more should've been done to prevent the attack, he said: "These frustrations were shared by many, many of us."

"I hope the steps that were recently taken will bring change. This has to be a consistent, ongoing effort to change reality."

— Josie Harvey

Isaac Herzog has condemned the spread of antisemitism as a "global emergency".

Израелскиот претседател Исак Херцог се обраќа пред толпа на плажата Бондaj во Сиднеј, на првиот ден од четиридневата посета на Австралија. Source: AP / Rick Rycroft

"When one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain. That is why I'm here today to embrace and console the bereaved families," he said of the Bondi terror attack victims.

"Antisemitism here in Australia is not a Jewish problem. It is an Australian problem and a global problem.

"One thing has become clear — hatred that starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews. This is why the current rise in antisemitism around the world is a global emergency, and we must all act to fight against it."

He welcomed the "positive steps" taken by the Australian government to tackle antisemitism since the 14 December attack, and urged leaders across all sectors of society to speak out against anti-Jewish hatred.

— Josie Harvey

There was a heavy police presence at Bondi Beach ahead of Isaac Herzog's arrival on Monday morning, with uniformed officers searching the area around Bondi Pavilion.

Police conducting a line search outside the Bondi Pavilion. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

Officers checking a drain ahead of Herzog's arrival. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

— Miles Proust

Isaac Herzog is speaking at Bondi, describing the beach as "symbolic of all that's great about this beautiful nation".

"[It] became the scene of the deadliest attack in Australia's history," he said.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (right) and his wife Michal Herzog (second from right) at the Bondi ceremony. Source: AP / Rick Rycroft

He said the "15 innocent souls who gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of light, were massacred in cold blood".

"The youngest victim, sweet Matilda, was just 10 years old. The oldest was 87-year-old Alex Kleytman, who survived the extermination of six million Jews in the Holocaust only to be murdered for being a Jew on the beaches of Sydney, Australia.

"These vile terrorists specifically and deliberately targeted our sisters and brothers, Australian Jews.

"Yet this was also an attack on all Australians. They attacked the values that our democracies treasure, the sanctity of human life, the freedom of religion, tolerance, dignity and respect."

— Josie Harvey

Isaac Herzog is at Bondi Beach to lay a wreath with local officials including NSW Premier Chris Minns, and leaders of Jewish groups, to honour the 15 victims of the 14 December terror attack.

He also laid two stones from Jerusalem, which he said represented "the unbreakable bond between the living and those we have lost".

Herzog is expected to speak to media shortly.

— Josie Harvey

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