Australia dodges call for arrest of visiting Israel president

FILE PHOTO: A person holds a placard during a protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's upcoming visit to Australia, at Hyde Park, in Sydney, Australia, February 1, 2026. -Reuters

SYDNEY: Australia's government sidestepped a call Thursday (Feb 5) for Israeli President Isaac Herzog to be arrested when he visits the country to pay respect to victims of an antisemitic mass shooting on Bondi Beach.

Herzog has been invited to a four-day visit from Monday to meet with the Jewish community after the December 14 attack on a Hanukkah festival in Sydney killed 15 people.