Israeli President Isaac Herzog is due to arrive in Australia on February 8, following an official invitation from the Australian Government. With this alarming visit just days away, Australia must take a stand.
Herzog’s visit raises serious concerns given the ongoing genocide committed by the State of Israel against Palestinians in Gaza and the concerns raised internationally about incitement and accountability.
The International Court of Justice has highlighted the obligation to prevent and punish direct and public incitement to genocide. In this context, President Herzog’s statements have been cited internationally, including his statement that “it is an entire nation out there that is responsible”.
In December 2024, Amnesty International determined Israel had been and is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The UN Commission, in its report of 16 September 2025, also found that this statement by Herzog, together with others by the Israeli leadership amounted to direct and public incitement to commit genocide under Article III(c) of the Genocide Convention.
Israel has failed in this responsibility to address these serious crimes under international law.
As a party to the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention, Australia is obligated to prevent and punish genocide and related offences under the Convention.
As a party to the Genocide Convention, Australia is obligated to prevent and punish genocide and related offences.
Allowing President Herzog to visit Australia as an official guest, without action on these widely held concerns, raises serious questions about Australia’s commitment to accountability and ending impunity for grave violations of human rights.
