Government backs Herzog visit
As Herzog visits Australia, Marles called the trip significant for bilateral ties and the Jewish community.
As Israel’s President Isaac Herzog visits Australia in the shadow of the Chanukah terror attack, federal MPs have used parliamentary debate to reflect differing views on the matter and the ongoing protests.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles on Monday called the visit important “on its own terms in respect of the bilateral relationship between Australia and Israel” but even more significant in the wake of December 14, noting that it came at the invitation of both the Prime Minister and the Governor-General.
“In the context of the tragedy of the Bondi massacre, his presence in Australia today is very significant for our nation and particularly for our nation’s Jewish community. In that respect, the President of Israel is here today and during this week as an honoured and welcomed guest – and he is so, utterly consistent with the position that this government holds in supporting a two-state solution,” he said.
Nationals Riverina MP Michael McCormack criticised the violent protests against Israel, saying, “Three thousand police. Snipers on the roof. A ring of steel around the central business district of Sydney. Workers, visitors, residents told to stay either at home or away. What is going on in this country? How has it gotten to this? The visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog has been greeted with remarkable scenes not just in Sydney, not just in Melbourne, but in Wagga Wagga and Benalla. This has to stop.”
He continued, “I’m not quite sure indeed what these people are still protesting about. I have nothing against peaceful demonstrations, it’s part and parcel of living in a democracy. But the Australian government’s adherence to Palestinian statehood was announced on 11 August last year. It was formally recognised on 21 September last year. I disagreed with it, but this is what the United Nations and our nation did and followed through on. And yet still we’re seeing protests week after week, day after day in our capital cities and in our country cities. And for what? … Some of them are saying, ‘Well, they’re peaceful demonstrations.’ No, they’re not.”