Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, declared on Monday, February 9, that people of all religious backgrounds would stand together to conquer "evil," as he honoured those who perished in the tragic Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney.
Herzog conveyed these sentiments while placing a wreath at Bondi Beach to remember the 15 individuals killed on December 14 during an assault that occurred amidst a Jewish festival. The solemn event, attended by the Israeli leader at the commencement of a four-day visit aimed at expressing solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, took place under tight security and overcast skies.
"The bonds between good people of all faiths and all nations will remain strong in the face of terror, violence and hatred," President Herzog stated at the ceremony held outside the Bondi Pavilion. He added, "We shall overcome this evil together."
The Israeli president revealed that he had placed two stones from Jerusalem at the site as a solemn tribute to the victims. He also lauded the Australian government for implementing what he termed constructive measures to counter antisemitism. These actions included the introduction of more stringent gun control and hate crime legislation following the attack.
Hersog highlighted that the Bondi Beach shooting represented the most lethal attack on Jewish people since Hamas's assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, and voiced concerns regarding the escalating global rise in antisemitism.
Among those who lost their lives in the Bondi Beach incident were an 87-year- old Holocaust survivor, a couple who bravely confronted one of the assailants, and a 10-year-old girl named Matilda, fondly remembered by mourners as a "ray of sunshine."
The suspected gunman, identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was fatally shot by police at the scene. His son, Naveed, a 24-year-old Australian citizen, has been charged with terrorism offences and 15 counts of murder and is currently in custody.
President Herzog's visit has been warmly received by many within Australia's Jewish community. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, indicated that the president's presence would provide comfort to a community still grappling with grief.
However, the visit has also encountered opposition. The Progressive Jewish Council of Australia stated that Herzog was not welcome, citing allegations related to Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Previously, the United Nations' Independent International Commission of Inquiry had suggested that Herzog might face prosecution over remarks made following the October 7 attack. Israel has vehemently refuted these claims, labelling them as false and calling for the dissolution of the inquiry.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese encouraged the public to respect the purpose of Herzog's visit and confirmed his intention to join the Israeli president in meeting with the victims' families.
Despite enhanced security measures and the designation of the visit as a significant event by New South Wales authorities, protests were staged across Australia. In Sydney, demonstrators called for Herzog to be investigated for alleged war crimes, while similar rallies in Melbourne demanded an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.
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