Ahead of Israeli President, Isaac Herzog’s visit, Amnesty International Australia urges the Australian Government to comply with its international and domestic legal obligations and investigate Herzog for genocide.
Herzog’s visit, as an official guest of the Australian Government, comes amid the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. As President of Israel, Herzog has overseen and legitimised Israel’s genocide and has made statements amounting to genocidal incitement.
In December 2024, Amnesty International concluded that Israel has been, and continues to, commit genocide in Gaza, by deliberately imposing conditions of life calculated to bring about physical destruction of Palestinians. Israel has waged a brutal and disproportionate reprisal on Palestinians including bombardment, displacement and an engineered famine.
The International Court of Justice cited Herzog’s statement that “it is an entire nation out there that is responsible” as evidence of genocidal intent. The Court ordered Israel to prevent and punish direct and public incitement to commit genocide; orders Israel has continued to brazenly defy.
In September 2025, the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory also found that this statement by Herzog, together with other Israeli leaders, amounted to direct and public incitement to commit genocide, as defined under the Genocide Convention.
Australia is a party to the Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute. These treaties impose a clear legal duty to prevent and punish genocide, obligations which are reflected in Australian domestic law. Hosting President Herzog without investigation or accountability risks placing Australia in breach of its international and domestic obligations and undermines the global fight against impunity for the gravest crimes. He must be investigated under Australia’s Commonwealth Criminal Code.
Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson, Mohamed Duar, says:
“President Herzog has unleashed hell and destruction on Palestinians in Gaza brazenly, continuously and with total impunity. The evidence of genocidal intent and incitement to genocide is clear. No one is above the law.
“Australia must comply with its legal obligations and investigate Isaac Herzog for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Those responsible must be held to account.”
Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson, Mohamed Duar
“By hosting President Herzog as an official guest, the Australian Government risks breaching its obligations under international and domestic law. A five-day visit, including meetings with federal leaders, sends a deeply troubling message about Australia’s commitment to accountability and respect for international law during an active genocide, the World’s longest occupation and apartheid regime that is a crime against humanity.
“Australia must comply with its legal obligations and investigate Isaac Herzog for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Those responsible must be held to account.
“Justice for Palestinians cannot wait.”
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