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Hosting Power, Shielding Impunity: Herzog’s Visit and the Reckoning in Australia

 


Australia’s decision to host Israeli President Isaac Herzog in February 2026 has triggered one of the most contentious political moments of the year. What was framed as diplomatic engagement quickly transformed into mass protest, allegations of police brutality, and renewed debate over international accountability.

This is not simply about foreign policy.

It is about how Australia treats protest, how it responds to allegations of war crimes, and whether international law applies equally — or selectively.

Police Violence in Sydney — “A Monumental Failure”

On February 9–10, thousands gathered in Sydney to protest Herzog’s visit. What followed has now been documented by human rights observers and widely reported across Australian media.

Human Rights Watch confirmed:

“Video footage verified by Human Rights Watch shows police punching protesters lying on the ground, violently dispersing people kneeling in prayer, and charging at and pepper spraying protesters.”¹

The organization called for an independent investigation and warned that unnecessary protest restrictions “open the door to abuse.”¹

NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson, who was present at the protest, delivered one of the most forceful condemnations of the police response.

According to reporting by 7NEWS and The Guardian, Higginson described the operation as:

“a monumental failure”²

She further stated:

“What we saw last night was something I never, ever thought I would see with my own eyes.”³

Higginson said police had created a “literal pressure cooker” by surrounding protesters and restricting exit routes, escalating tensions rather than de-escalating them.³ 

She called for the matter to be referred to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) for independent scrutiny.³

Her remarks were echoed by other Greens MPs who alleged excessive force, including punches and capsicum spray deployment against protesters.²

Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated that police actions would be reviewed, while NSW Premier Chris Minns defended officers as operating under difficult circumstances.⁴

But the footage — and the human rights documentation — have made the incident impossible to dismiss as routine crowd control.

Doron Almog: A Delegation Member With a War-Crimes Warrant History

Among those travelling in the delegation is Doron Almog, retired Israeli Major General and chair of the Jewish Agency for Israel.

In 2005:

  • A UK court issued an arrest warrant for Almog on suspicion of grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.⁵
  • The allegations related to the destruction of Palestinian homes in Rafah in 2002 while he commanded Israel’s Southern Command.⁵
  • British police waited at Heathrow Airport to arrest him.⁶
  • He refused to disembark and flew back to Israel.⁵

Amnesty International criticized the UK’s failure to arrest him as a breach of international obligations.⁷

Almog denies all allegations.

In February 2026, Australian and Palestinian legal organizations formally requested that the Australian Federal Police investigate and arrest Almog under Australia’s universal jurisdiction laws.⁸

The AFP confirmed receipt of the submission and referred it internally.⁸

No arrest has occurred.

Yaakov Hagoel and Settlement Expansion

Also associated with the visit is Yaakov Hagoel, Chairman of the World Zionist Organization (WZO).

The WZO Settlement Division has historically supported and promoted expansion of Israeli civilian presence in the occupied West Bank, including development projects in the Jordan Valley.⁹

While no criminal charges have been filed against Hagoel personally, critics argue that such institutional roles are deeply intertwined with policies widely condemned internationally as violations of international humanitarian law.

Herzog’s Words and the ICJ

President Herzog’s public remarks after October 7 were cited during proceedings at the International Court of Justice in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.¹⁰

While the ICJ did not rule that genocide had occurred, it determined that South Africa’s claims were plausible enough to warrant provisional measures under the Genocide Convention.¹⁰

Herzog has rejected accusations of genocidal intent and has defended Israel’s actions as lawful self-defense.

But the fact remains: his rhetoric entered the legal record of the world’s highest court.

A Democratic Test

When:

  • Human Rights Watch documents police punching protesters on Australian soil¹
  • An Australian MP calls the police operation a “monumental failure”²
  • A visiting delegation includes a figure once subject to a war-crimes arrest warrant⁵
  • Legal submissions demand investigation under universal jurisdiction⁸

… the issue transcends diplomatic protocol.

It becomes a test of principle.

International law cannot be selective.

Protest rights cannot be conditional.

Democracy cannot depend on who is visiting.

Conclusion

Australia had the opportunity to host a diplomatic visit grounded in transparency and dialogue.

Instead, it now faces:

  • Documented allegations of excessive force
  • Calls for independent investigation
  • Renewed scrutiny of universal jurisdiction obligations
  • A widening rift between government policy and public conscience

This is not merely about Isaac Herzog.

It is about what Australia stands for — and whether accountability applies equally to power and to protest.




Sources

  1. Human Rights Watch, Australia: Excessive Force Used Against Herzog Protesters, Feb 10, 2026.
  2. 7NEWS, Greens politicians allegedly assaulted by police at Sydney anti-Herzog protest, Feb 10, 2026.
  3. The Guardian Australia, live coverage of Sydney protest and Higginson comments, Feb 10, 2026.
  4. ABC News, Feb 10, 2026 protest coverage and official responses.
  5. The Guardian (UK), Israeli evades arrest at Heathrow, Sept 2005.
  6. The Guardian (UK), Feb 2008 follow-up reporting.
  7. Amnesty International statement, Sept 2005.
  8. The Guardian Australia, Feb 6, 2026, legal submission to AFP regarding Almog.
  9. Public WZO Settlement Division materials and reporting.
  10. International Court of Justice, South Africa v Israel, Provisional Measures Order, Jan 26, 2024.


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