Published: 3 February 2026
Last updated: 4 February 2026
This article is part of a debate. Read Lillian Kline's response: Why President Herzog's visit matters now
President Herzog’s upcoming visit to Australia is causing me genuine anxiety. After the summer that Australia’s Jewish community has just endured, his visit feels badly mistimed and, worse, likely to backfire spectacularly on the very people it is meant to honour and support.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has characterised the invitation to Israel’s head of state as an opportunity for the president to “engage with members of the Jewish community who are grieving the loss of 15 innocent lives”.
But the visit is already spurring protests focused on Israel’s conduct during the Gaza war, and on ongoing proceedings in international courts. Inevitably, it will focus attention on Israeli politics and conflate the issue of antisemitism in Australia with concerns about the Middle East: exactly the slippage that endangers our community.
I’m also worried about the mental health of our community. We have just lived through a hellish summer. It began in the first week of the school holidays, when 15 people were murdered at Chanukah by the Sea in Bondi. So many of us knew people who were killed, and most of us are still processing the trauma of what happened. In the aftermath of Bondi, like so many Jewish families, all my hopeful summer plans were immediately interrupted with endless prayers for the injured, the exhausting fight to secure a royal commission, and vigil after vigil after vigil for the dead not to mention funerals.
An invitation like this may be intended as solidarity, but it risks...validating the idea that Jews, wherever we live, are fair proxies for Israel’s actions
Comments21
Dror Doron8 February at 11:13 am
Apeacment is the wrong strategy to confront radicals who allready mix Antisemitism with anti-Israel/anti-zionizm.
Herzug is the head of the Jewish state and he doesn’t claim to represent the Australian Jewish community, his visit is an act of solidarity with a Jewish community under attack.
Jewish global solidarity and the ability to be proud of the Jewish identity in the face of lies, incitement and radicalizm, is the answer to the unchecked Antisemitism that erupted in Australia.
Jane7 February at 11:28 pm
I totally agree with you that this visit will only bring disharmony and conflict and a focus away from the healing that’s needed and support for the Jewish community.
There is never a time when Herzog should be welcomed to Australia.
Pat Tucker6 February at 05:55 am
I totally agree with the writer, this visit can only lead to more problems for the community.
Rini5 February at 01:36 pm
It’s a grave mistake inviting a president of a foreign nation which is under much scrutiny for alleged genocide. This man Herzog would not meet the threshold of obtaining a visa.
I can’t see how this will heal the Australian Jewish community. They may have affinity with Israel, but they are not part of Israel and it’s politics. If anything, it will hurt deeply to enmesh being Jewish with the actions of Israel.
Invite a prominent rabbi for healing, truely unpolitical
David Knoll AM5 February at 10:04 am
I am reminded of the simple but ever valuable proposition: kol yisrael areivim zeh ba zeh. We are one Jewish people, connected in time and connected in space to Israel and to each other. I look forward to President Herzog’s visit as an affirmation of that proposition. It is appropriate in time and in the space which he occupies.
David Jackson5 February at 07:12 am
The 1400 Israeli citizens killed and taken hostage on October 7 2023 for attending a music festival have one thing in common with 15 dead Australians for participating in a candle lighting on 14th December 2025, they were JEWISH. That makes both attacks antisemitic. None of these people were committing genocide against Palestinians. Jews are not homogeneous, some do criticize the policies of the Israeli government for its disproportionate response, settlement policies, judicial reforms, etcetra. The two issues can be separated, its how its done that matters. In that context Herzog’s visiting Australia as a representative of a Jewish State is welcomed.
Jack Chrapot5 February at 06:31 am
I have no issue with this invitation at all.
Isaac Herzog was invited by the Prime Minister to demonstrate solidarity with the Australian Jewish community, which has been traumatized by over two years of escalating antisemitism, culminating in the Bondi Beach massacre, and to acknowledge the growing sympathy towards the community from the general public in the aftermath of that heinous attack.
In his inaugural speech as President of the State of Israel on 7 July 2021, Herzog advocated for building bridges within Israel and between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora. Albanese’s invitation to Herzog reflects a nuanced understanding of his vision.
Opposing the visit and attempting to prevent it would be tantamount to capitulating to those who have perpetuated antisemitic sentiment for over two years, including the proponents of globalizing the intifada, which undermines the well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians and others in the Middle East, as well as social cohesion in Australia.
We should extend a warm welcome to Isaac Herzog during his visit to Australia.
Joseph Silver5 February at 01:12 am
“right now, our community needs space to heal”
What magic formula does Kaltmann propose?
Herzog is effectively the leader of a tranche of the Jewish people who are grieving and it is incumbent on leadership to stand by its people.
To give in to the anti-Israel caravan of hate is a sign of weakness.
Self-respecting Jews are not Jews with trembling knees as Menachem Begin said so aptly.
Danny Ballard5 February at 12:30 am
Congratulations on a very fair and accurate article. The over welming number of people killed and injured at Bondi were Australians, not Israelis. So why invite a head of state from another country? The majority of people were also of the Jewish Faith, so a well respected Rabi from Israel would have been a much better choice ! I would also add that Prime Minister Albanese is also running the risk of a diplomatic incident by inviting Mr Herzog to our country.
Peter Mo4 February at 02:02 am
Albanese’s invite makes no sense at all. In fact it creates exactly the outcome the Bondi killers would have wanted.
It’s all very well saying Australian Jews don’t fully relate to Israel but Jewish organizations should be much more vocal condemning Israel’s actions over Palestine.
Brenda Dobia4 February at 01:42 am
I am deeply dismayed that in response to such a heartfelt well argued piece David Meadow feels it appropriate to dismiss it using the nasty pejorative label ‘self hating Jew’. The lateral violence this term expresses is offensive, causes great harm and is way too prevalent in this community. Is this the way you honestly think you will ‘stamp out’ antisemitism by stomping on other Jews who happen to have a different perspective to yours?
I call on TJI to set standards around people using such terms of abuse.
Harold Zwier4 February at 01:31 am
Thanks Nomi, you have articulated the conflicting arguments around the visit of the Israeli president.
Simon Tedeschi3 February at 10:49 pm
Bravo.
Joseph3 February at 10:19 pm
That’s an absolutely ridiculous opinion piece.
Australian Jews are exhausted, traumatised, and grieving. On that, there is no disagreement. Where you are wrong is in claiming that Israel’s president is irrelevant — or even harmful — to Jewish safety in Australia.
Jews around the world do not treat Israel as a mere symbol. They treat it as a refuge. As the one country that ultimately has their back when things turn hostile. That matters, not emotionally, but practically.
Israeli intelligence works closely with Australian agencies to prevent terror attacks, including those targeting Jewish communities. Israel has also exposed Iranian-linked operations operating in Australia. The people plotting violence do not distinguish between “Australian Jews” and “Israel.” Pretending that separation protects us is a comforting illusion.
The conflation you fear is not created by an Israeli visit. It is imposed by antisemites — and it does not disappear when Jews make themselves smaller or quieter.
You cannot rely on Israel when Jews are under threat, and then object when Israel shows solidarity in person.
Israel’s presence does not endanger Australian Jews. Denying its role in our safety does.
Mark Jacobi3 February at 07:24 pm
I think it is very unfortunate thst one of the “comments” after Nomi Kaltmann’s well written and argued case has viciously attacked her character. Describing the learnt Nomi as an “ignorant self hating” Jew is totally incorrect. Are you sir able to give Shuirim in Tanach like Nomi does? Do you spend time helping others doing practical Mitzvot like Nomi? Do you juggle your time to learn Torah texts?
Be careful with your words!!!
Mark Jacobi3 February at 06:24 pm
You’re right & You’re right!
YasherKoach for Nomi expressing her views so honestly and forthrightly. Nomi isn’t against President Herzog’s visit just the timing. I understand and appreciate other viewpoints including the very talented Daniel (Miller)Meron expressing his strong opinion.
Both have merit!
Malki Rose3 February at 01:45 pm
Shkoi’ach Nomi.
Such an incredibly important piece, that many of us our so proud of you for having so bravely written it.
Hashem Yishmor
Daniel Meron (Miller)3 February at 01:42 pm
It is shocking to read that the writer, a young Jewish leader, is suffering from anxiety after hearing of the visit of the President of Israel to Australia. I would have expected her to be filled with pride that the President of the Jewish State is leaving Israel, despite his extermly busy and important schedule, to show solidarity with our brethren down under. As an Israeli born in Australia I am proud of President Herzog flying to Australia at this difficult time
David Meadow3 February at 01:31 pm
This article is by a self hating Jew that doesn’t understand what it means to be a Jew. All Jews are part of the Jewish nation. Israel is the state of the Jewish nation just like Italy is the state of the Italian people. The President of the Jewish State has been formally invited by the Australia Government and he will be here to show solidarity with Jewish citizens of Israel.
Larry’ Stillman3 February at 09:10 am
Thank you for putting it so well.
Raph Goldenberg3 February at 08:36 am
I have the totally opposite view. Now is not the time for Jews to distance ourselves from our connection to Israel in the eyes of the Australian public. This giving into fear, hate and hiding mentality has never worked for us. Now is the perfect time for President Herzog to come and we should embrace and celebrate it!