Wong says she understands ‘depth of feeling in the community’ as she defends Israel president’s Australia visit

<p>Backlash grows against Israel president Isaac Herzog’s planned visit next week with calls to rescind invitation</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/feb/05/australian-politics-live-anthony-albanese-sussan-ley-labor-liberal-question-time-chalmers-budget-cost-of-living-marles-defence-leadership-challenge-spill-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The foreign minister, Penny Wong, has urged critics of a visit to Australia by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/04/isaac-herzog-israel-president-australia-visit-controversy-ntwnfb">Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog</a>, to consider the context of the trip, insisting Jewish leaders had urged the government to issue an invitation.</p><p>Herzog’s visit to Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney next week is prompting a growing backlash. Herzog, Israel’s head of state, was invited by the governor general, Sam Mostyn, to meet Jewish community members mourning the 15 victims of the Bondi terror attack.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/05/penny-wong-israel-president-isaac-herzog-visit">Continue reading...</a>

Read the full article at: The Guardian World →