Unions, Greens, Labor members, Palestinian, Muslim and Jewish organisations unite to demand AFP investigation into Israeli President Isaac Herzog

The Australian Greens, Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), Labor Friends of Palestine, Palestine Action Group, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN), Jews Against the Occupation ‘48, Hunter Workers and the South Coast Labour Council today called on the Albanese Government and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to urgently investigate Israeli President Isaac Herzog for  war crimes when he visits Australia next week.

The coalition say the Albanese Government must comply with their obligations under the Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute by:

• Immediately directing the AFP to commence a criminal investigation into Herzog for incitement to genocide, aiding and abetting war crimes, and crimes against humanity under the Commonwealth Criminal Code;
   
• Ensuring that no claim of diplomatic or head-of-state immunity obstructs lawful investigative steps; and
   
• Publicly clarifying how Australia will meet its obligations under the Genocide Convention and domestic legislation during and after Herzog’s visit.
   

The call follows a historic joint legal action lodged by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), the Jewish Council of Australia, and the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) seeking Herzog’s arrest or exclusion from Australia under domestic law. The Australian Centre for International Justice, Al-Haq, Amnesty International and the Muslim Vote have also called for the AFP to investigate Herzog.

Former Australian Human Rights Commissioner and UN expert Chris Sidoti said on Wednesday Australia had “a legal scope and a moral duty” to arrest and investigate Herzog given his incitement of genocide, an atrocity crime, which invalidates diplomatic immunity in Australia. 

Additionally, organisations that have called on the Albanese Government to rescind Herzog’s invitation include Jews for Palestine (WA), Loud Jew Collective, Jews Against the Occupation ’48, Jewish Voices of Inner Sydney, Jewish Advocates for Understanding Antisemitism, Jews for Justice, Jews for a Free Palestine, Jewish Women 4 Peace Action Ready Group, Anti-Zionism Australia and the Coalition of Women for Justice and Peace.

Lines attributable to Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and Anti-racism spokesperson:

“Under Labor, we are now officially a state that not only appeases a genocidal rogue state, but enthusiastically lays out a welcome mat for their head - a man who has been accused of inciting genocide. It is an absolute disgrace to invite war criminals to our shores.

“The Albanese Labor government are utter hypocrites for banging the drum of unity but then doing the most divisive thing possible by inviting the head of a state committing genocide.

“There is still time for Prime Minister Albanese to admit he made an appalling mistake, rescind his invitation to President Herzog and show his Labor government at least has some semblance of morality left in them.

“The Albanese Labor government may have completely lost sight of their legal and ethical duties, but our movement for justice will not let Herzog’s visit go unchallenged.”

Lines attributable to Paul Keating, Maritime Union of Australia Sydney Branch spokesperson:

“It has always been left to ordinary working women and men to stand up against the imperial wars of the powerful.  Like the generations before us that fought against the American war in  Vietnam, apartheid South Africa and countless other tragedies wrought by the powerful, we will fight Israel’s genocidal regime.

“Make no mistake: working people in Australia will escalate this struggle, whether those in power like it or not.”    

Lines attributable to Katie Shammas, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network:

"Since October 2023, over 2 million Palestinians have been displaced, and tens of thousands dead beneath the rubble. Palestinians, the ICJ, multiple human rights organisations and the UN Commission of Inquiry have all clearly stated the case for Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

"We have seen hundreds of thousands of Australians demanding our government sanction Israel as a means to stop the killing. But now what they have chosen to do is invite its President. Palestinians and our allies will not rest until there is accountability for this crime against humanity." 

Lines attributable to Stephen Lawrence MLC, spokesperson Labor Friends of Palestine

"Labor members across the country are appalled by the visit of the Israeli President to our country. While there are complexities around head of state immunities in domestic law, the International law and moral position is clear, Australia is obliged to take steps to prevent and ensure accountability for genocide. The President's words deliberately blurred the distinction between civilian and combatant at a critical time and became a genocidal battle cry. He should not be in Australia and should be investigated for incitement to genocide when he is."

Lines attributable to Arthur Rorris, Secretary South Coast Labour Council of NSW:

"You can't promote social cohesion and genocide at the same time.

"Herzog isn't coming to heal Australia, he is coming to legitimise the obliteration of Gaza, he is the Genocide Whisperer in Chief." 

Lines attributable to Josh Lees, Palestine Action Group:

“Our government is rolling the red carpet out for someone found to have incited genocide, while they trample on our democratic right to protest. Herzog’s visit is a propaganda tour for Israel to try to normalise and rehabilitate its tattered image after two and half years of carrying out endless massacres and forced starvation. We will mobilise in huge numbers around the country on Monday to prevent that from happening. The genocide must stop, Herzog must be arrested, and the Australian Government must stop arming and funding his regime.

"We are determined to protest and to march on our streets on Monday in opposition to Herzog and the atrocities that he represents.”

Lines attributable to Judith Treanor, Jews against the Occupation ‘48: 

"For Jews Against the Occupation ’48, and for many Jews across Australia, this visit is abhorrent. It tells the world that genocide is compatible with Jewish identity — and that lie endangers Jews everywhere. Jews are being used as a cover for genocide, and that inflames antisemitism. Australians were attacked on December 14 — not Israel — and to suggest that a war criminal could ‘bring comfort to the Bondi families’ (Ryvchin) is utterly sickening.

"There is no single Jewish community. There are Jews who support Israel and Jews who don’t, secular Jews and devout Jews, and Jews who are devastated that our identity has been hijacked by Zionism. Herzog must be investigated, not welcomed.”