Reporter Isobel Roe, who was at the Bondi Pavilion memorial this morning, says Israeli President Isaac Herzog laid a wreath to pay tribute to those killed during the December 14 terror attack.

He was joined by the Israeli first lady, NSW Premier Chris Minns and the Waverley Council mayor, Will Namesh.

The pavilion is metres from the scene of the attack.

Mr Herzog met some of the families of the victims.

The media were told he would take four questions only: twofrom Australian media and two from Israeli media.

Security is tight. All media have been screened by metal detectors, there was a police boat on the water, and a helicopter in the air.

Reporting by Isobel Roe

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-09/isaac-herzog-to-visit-israel-president-bondi-attacks/106320994

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Herzog expresses wish to strengthen Israel's relationship with Australia

By Georgie Hewson

The president takes another question from Israeli media before wrapping up with comments about Australia-Israeli relations.

"I also believe that this is an opportunity to upgrade the relations between Israel and Australia because we are two democracies that share values together, and we are confronting the roots of evil from all over the world," he told the media.

"We should do so together."

Next, a reporter asks Mr Herzog to reflect on what his message is to protesters who are mourning those killed in Gaza today.

"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, of its mere existence," he says.

"We did not seek that war, October 7 ... and people were butchered, murdered, raped and burnt and abducted.

"We have here bereaved Israeli families who came from the Kibbutz, Kibbutz Nir Oz, and from the war in order to express their condolences here at Bondi, but also to create — make a clear statement and a message — we should all fight together.

"Terror is what undermines all the availability of peace and the notion of peace in our region.

"It was always the case and is always the case, and, therefore, terror is unacceptable by any means."

The president was asked what the state of Israel should do against anti-Israeli sentiment from friends like Australia.

"I differentiate between debate and argument, between nations and between a clear understanding of one inherent element in the equation," Mr Herzog said during a press conference. 

"Israel is the only nation-state of the Jewish people."

"You can argue on policies, we argue on policies, but it's a totally different ball game when there are ongoing attacks and criticism and agony and pain of Jews, while citizens of any country, including this country.

"We see ourselves as the protectors of Jews all over the world.

"[Jews] are attacked and harassed in other countries, and in Australia, which is a model democracy, it must not happen."

Mr Herzog is asked: "Could more have been done to prevent such an attack on the Jewish community?"

"These frustrations were shared by many, many of us, including myself, where I alerted, as I have seen this wave surge all over the world, and I have seen it in many countries, including Canada, Great Britain, the United States, and Australia — all English-speaking countries," he says.

"I have alerted way in advance, as well as many others, and that is why I understand this frustration, and I hope the steps that were recently taken will bring change.

"This has to be a consistent, ongoing effort to change reality."

"Antisemitism here in Australia is not a Jewish problem — it is an Australian problem, and a global problem," Mr Herzog says.

"Over the generations, one thing has become clear — hatred that starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews."

He called antisemitism a global emergency.

"I welcome the positive steps taken by the Australian government to tackle antisemitism since the Bondi attack.

"Leaders across all sectors of society must speak out clearly and consistently against antisemitism because silence in the face of hatred is complicity."

He now takes questions from the media.

Mr Herzog just laid two stones from Jerusalem on the memorial.

He is now stepping up to the podium to speak.

"In Jewish tradition, we place stones to represent the endurance of memory, the weight of loss, and the unbreakable bond between the living and those we have lost," he says.

"These stones from Jerusalem, the Eternal City, the Eternal Capital of Israel, will remain here at Bondi for eternity, a sacred memory of the victims, and as a reminder that the good of all faiths and all nations will continue to hold strong in the face of terror, violence and hatred, and that we shall overcome this evil together."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-09/isaac-herzog-to-visit-israel-president-bondi-attacks/106320994

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