We, as Jewish organisations opposed to the forthcoming misguided visit by the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, appeal to you to rescind the visas granted to both Herzog and the high-ranking staff member of his entourage, former Major General Doron Almog.
Neither Herzog nor Almog should be allowed entry into Australia.
No doubt the Minister is well aware that Herzog is the very man named by the 2025 UN Human Rights Council Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem, as one of Israel’s three leaders guilty of inciting the genocide in Gaza (the other two being Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant).
All the world has seen the photograph of Herzog signing deadly missiles destined for Gaza with the phrase, in Hebrew, “I Rely On You”, and heard him declare that there are no innocent civilians in Gaza. This was not a trauma response. In his 2015 election campaign, Herzog used an image of an Arab man in the cross-hairs of a rifle. In 2025, he described settlements in the West Bank, which Australia agrees are illegal, as “a cornerstone of Judaism”.
It is antisemitic to claim that Judaism is inherently at odds with international law and human rights. How can Herzog possibly pass the character test?
Almog is equally unsuitable. He has been credibly accused of war crimes dating from his time as General Officer Commanding the Southern Command, during which the IDF committed extensive human rights violations and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. These include home demolitions, mass murder, and the murder of children and a pregnant woman.
In September 2005, the Chief London Magistrate issued a warrant for his arrest. The Minister should note that Almog was so determined to avoid arrest that London counter-terrorism police were unwilling to board his plane due to the “threat of an armed confrontation”.
We draw the Minister’s attention to Section 501 in the Migration Act, which gives discretion to refuse an application for a visa if the applicant does not satisfy the Minister that they pass the character test. We suggest the Minister may reasonably suspect that the two persons in question have been involved in conduct constituting the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, or crimes otherwise of serious international concern whether or not the person has been convicted of an offence constituted by the conduct.
Independent Human Rights bodies such as Amnesty International and UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry, and at least half a dozen more, have all concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. To ignore these findings, and to conveniently forget
Australia’s obligation under international law that we must stop and prevent genocide, sets the most appalling example possible at a time when the Albanese government seeks to restore social cohesion, unity and harmony after the shock of the Bondi Shooting.
The visit may please Zionists, but will do nothing to bring healing and trust to the many and diverse communities nationwide. On the contrary.
Furthermore, as Australians of all backgrounds and persuasions increasingly realise to what extent the Zionist lobby is dictating government decisions, such as the recently rushed-through legislation curbing our democratic rights, it is essential to demonstrate that the Minister is capable of resisting Zionist pressure vis-a-vis Herzog’s highly unpopular visit to our shores.
In the interests of all Australians, and in the interests of justice and peace, we urge you to rescind Herzog’s and Almog’s visas immediately.
Sincerely,
Jews Against the Occupation ’48
Loud Jew Collective
Jews for Palestine WA
Jewish Voices of Inner Sydney
Australian Jews for Human Rights
Jewish Advocates for Understanding Antisemitism