Canberra, MINA – A pro-Palestinian group has vowed to hold protest rallies against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia, despite government restrictions on demonstrations, local media reported Saturday as cited by Anadolu Agency.
Herzog is scheduled to visit Sydney on Monday, and the Palestine Action Group plans to protest at Town Hall the same day. The New South Wales (NSW) government has granted extra powers to police ahead of the visit, with Premier Chris Minns calling for calm.
Protest organizers plan to march from Town Hall to Macquarie Street, even though the route falls within a restricted zone. The state government has urged them to choose a different location. Protests are also planned in 24 cities across Australia, including Canberra, Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne on February 9.
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) stated that Herzog should not be welcomed and must be held accountable. On social media platform X, APAN said, “Isaac Herzog is not a ceremonial guest. He is the head of state of a government carrying out genocide in Gaza, enforcing occupation, and maintaining apartheid over Palestinians. His rhetoric was cited by the International Court of Justice in assessing the risk of genocide.”
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Last week, a coalition of civil society groups filed a legal complaint urging authorities to deny Herzog a visa and open a criminal investigation under Australian law. Earlier, prominent justice advocates also demanded that federal police investigate Herzog for incitement to genocide ahead of his visit.
Herzog is expected to arrive in Australia on February 8 for a four-day visit, having been invited by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after the Bondi Beach attack in December, which killed 15 and injured 42.
A UN Human Rights Council commission of inquiry into the Gaza war found last year that Israel was committing genocide, citing Herzog’s comments after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack as evidence of genocidal intent.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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