Israeli Leader Plans Australian Visit
President Izchak Herzog of Israel has agreed to travel to Australia in response to the recent violent incident at a Jewish celebration in Sydney. The invitation was extended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a phone call, as confirmed by Herzog's office.
During their conversation, Albanese conveyed his profound shock at the terrorist assault targeting the Jewish community at Bondi Beach, which resulted in 15 fatalities. He stated, "He expressed great sympathy for the numerous victims and conveyed his condolences to the grieving families."
Herzog stressed to Albanese the critical need to enforce "all necessary legal measures" to address the alarming surge in anti-Semitism, extremism, and jihadist terrorism.
Details of the Sydney Incident
On December 14, during the initial day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, two assailants—a father and his son—carried out an attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing 15 individuals. Police fatally shot the father, while the son was hospitalized with injuries. The 24-year-old son has since been moved to a prison facility.
Authorities report that the pair had carefully organized the assault over several months. Australian officials suspect that the attackers were motivated by Islamic State ideology.
Herzog's spokesperson, Benjamin Lee, announced on Tuesday that the president intends to make the journey "as soon as possible."
