Greens Senator Accuses Government of ‘Rolling Out the Red Carpet for War Criminals’ Over Israel Invite

Melbourne, January 14: Australia’s political debate has intensified just one month after the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack, with a Greens senator accusing the Albanese government of welcoming “war criminals” by inviting the President of Israel to visit Australia.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi said the government was “rolling out the red carpet for war criminals” by inviting Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia following the anti-Semitic terror attack at Bondi Beach, where 15 people were killed and dozens injured during a Chanukah gathering.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese invited President Herzog to Australia to “honour and remember the victims of the Bondi anti-Semitic terrorist attack and provide support for Jewish Australians and the Australian Jewish community at this time.”

But Senator Faruqi strongly criticised the decision, writing on social media that President Herzog was “the president of a state committing an ongoing genocide.”

“In a week when the government claims to be cracking down on hate, it is welcoming the president of a state committing an ongoing genocide,” she wrote.
“You don’t fight racism by rolling out the red carpet for war criminals.”

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi reacts on social media after the Albanese government invited Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia.

She made the comments alongside screenshots of Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaking on Sky News about Herzog’s planned visit. Senator Wong said she believed it was “a good thing” for President Herzog to come to Australia and described it as an important signal of solidarity with the Jewish community.

The remarks sparked an angry response from Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, who said Senator Faruqi “should be ashamed of herself.”

He said her repeated claims that Israel’s war against Hamas amounted to genocide had contributed to the “dehumanisation of Jewish Australians” and helped fuel antisemitism, culminating in the Bondi attack.

“She has for over two years peddled a lie that Israel’s war against Islamist terrorists Hamas is a genocide,” Mr Ryvchin said.
“Instead of reflecting or showing remorse, she doubles down.”

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash also condemned Faruqi’s comments as “reckless, inflammatory and wrong.”

“President Herzog is the democratically elected head of state of Israel,” she said.
“His visit is entirely appropriate and reflects Australia’s longstanding support for Israel’s right to exist in peace and security. He is not a war criminal, and Israel is not committing genocide.”

Israel has denied allegations of genocide in Gaza after South Africa brought a case against it at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). While the court has issued interim orders urging Israel to prevent genocidal acts and allow humanitarian aid, it has not ruled that Israel is guilty of genocide.

Senator Faruqi has been a prominent supporter of pro-Palestinian rallies since Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, in which more than 1,200 people were killed and hundreds were taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis.

The controversy over President Herzog’s visit highlights the growing tension within Australian politics as the country continues to grapple with the fallout from the Bondi terror attack and the wider Middle East conflict.