Albanese Invites President Herzog to Australia After Sydney Terror Attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has invited Israeli President Isaac Herzog to visit Australia, following a phone call between the two leaders in the aftermath of last week’s terror attack targeting the Jewish community in Sydney. Herzog accepted the invitation, which is expected to be issued formally by Australia’s Governor-General.

According to a statement published by Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister said he called Israeli President Isaac Herzog, during which he “expressed his profound shock and dismay over the terror attack against the Australian Jewish community in Sydney last week, and conveyed his deep sorrow to the families of the victims.” Albanese said he informed Herzog that the Governor-General of Australia would issue an invitation, in accordance with protocol, for him “to visit Australia as soon as possible,” noting that Herzog accepted the invitation and mentioned an additional invitation from the president of the Zionist Federation of Australia. 

Herzog responded with a full statement following the conversation, describing the attack and the broader threat it represents. “Earlier today, I received a call from the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese,” the Israeli president said. “I expressed my profound shock and dismay over the catastrophic terror attack against the Australian Jewish community in Sydney last week. I conveyed my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and my prayers for a speedy recovery for all those injured. I also underscored the importance of taking all legal measures to combat the unprecedented rise in antisemitism, extremism, and jihadist terror.” Herzog added that Albanese informed him an invitation would be issued for a visit to Australia, which he accepted.

Albanese has recently sought to reassure Jewish Australians in public remarks. Addressing the community after the attack, he described it as “completely unbreakable.” The exchange between Albanese and Herzog comes amidst a broader international concern over rising antisemitism. In recent remarks elsewhere, Herzog warned that the phenomenon has become “a global emergency,” calling on governments to treat it with urgency.

Closing his response to the Australian prime minister, Herzog emphasized the responsibility of states to act decisively, stressing the need “to take all legal measures” to confront antisemitism, extremism, and jihadist terror, an emphasis he is expected to carry with him during his upcoming visit to Australia.