Mass protests have continued across Australia as Israeli President Isaac Herzog concluded a four day official visit that sparked demonstrations, police clashes, and renewed debate over the Gaza genocide.
Thousands gathered in Melbourne this morning as Herzog arrived in the city ahead of the final leg of his trip. The demonstration marked the fourth consecutive day of protests that have followed him across major Australian cities.
In Melbourne, the protest began outside Flinders Street Station, where crowds held signs declaring that Herzog was not welcome.
The rally came despite limited public details about his official schedule, with earlier demonstrations also forming outside two of his engagements.
His visit has triggered large demonstrations in cities including Sydney and Canberra. On Wednesday, hundreds assembled outside Australia’s Parliament House, while earlier protests in Sydney saw violent clashes between activists and police.
Melbourne demonstrations
Among those gathered in Melbourne were protesters sharing personal stories of loss. One woman said she joined the demonstration to demand accountability for family members who were killed in the conflict.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
Another said she wanted to send a message to the government opposing Herzog’s visit.
The protest followed similar scenes earlier in the week. Thousands took to the streets on Monday, with tensions escalating as police moved to disperse crowds in several locations.
Footage widely circulated on social media showed New South Wales police forcibly removing Muslim worshippers and dragging them as they performed prayers during the protest.
The images intensified scrutiny of how authorities handled the demonstrations.
Police response criticism
The incident prompted strong reactions from community leaders. The Australian National Imams Council condemned the police actions, describing them as “shocking, deeply disturbing, and entirely unacceptable.”
Australia’s special envoy for Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, called for an investigation into the police use of force. He also urged New South Wales Premier Chris Minns to issue a public apology to the Muslim community.
As protests continued, the debate expanded beyond Herzog’s visit to broader concerns about civil liberties, policing, and the government’s stance on the conflict in Gaza.
Gaza war context
Last year, a UN Human Rights Council special commission of inquiry into the war in Gaza said Israel was committing genocide and cited statements made by Herzog as evidence of genocidal intent.
Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza in October 2023. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 171,000 wounded.
The same ministry reports that about 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed. The scale of devastation and casualties has fueled protests worldwide, including the sustained demonstrations seen throughout Herzog’s four day visit to Australia.
