In Sydney, a protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog turned confrontational, with police deploying pepper spray to manage the crowd.

On Monday, clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement resulted in several arrests, following a day of tensions in the city.

Earlier in the day, President Herzog paid his respects at Bondi Beach, where he placed a wreath and two stones from Jerusalem, commemorating the lives lost in a tragic incident at a Jewish festival in December that claimed 15 lives, including a 10-year-old girl.

The Israeli President's four-day visit to Australia aims to provide solace to the local Jewish community, still reeling from the recent tragedy, although some critics argue that the invitation was ill-advised, citing allegations of incitement in Gaza, which Herzog has denied.

Defying recent restrictions on public gatherings imposed after the December shooting, the Palestine Action Group organized a demonstration in central Sydney, drawing attention to their concerns regarding Herzog's visit.

The New South Wales government recently implemented enhanced "major event" powers, granting law enforcement the ability to restrict access to certain areas, conduct searches, and issue fines of up to $5,500 (£2,839, US$3,862) for those who fail to comply.

Despite the new measures, organisers of the protest had indicated that the event would proceed as planned, anticipating a turnout of approximately 5,000 participants.

On Monday, a large crowd assembled in Sydney, with many attendees donning Palestinian headscarves and carrying signs.

Some of the placards on display featured messages such as "I'm not anti-semitic, I am anti-genocide" and "Arrest Herzog", reflecting the views of the protesters.

Following the conclusion of the peaceful demonstration, the crowd began to chant "Let us march", but their attempt to proceed was thwarted by a significant police presence.

Tensions escalated, prompting the deployment of pepper spray to manage the crowd and the arrival of additional police units to maintain order.

A separate demonstration took place in Melbourne, drawing attention to the issue.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended an invitation to Herzog to visit the country, citing the potential for the trip to foster unity and social cohesion in the aftermath of the Bondi incident.

During a wreath-laying ceremony at the site of the mass shooting, Herzog remarked, "The pain of one Jew is felt by all," highlighting the sense of collective suffering.

Herzog also expressed his intention to provide comfort and support to the families affected by the tragedy, stating that he had come to offer them solace and condolences.

In response to queries about the anticipated protests, Herzog stated that his visit is rooted in a spirit of friendship and a long-standing alliance between Australia and Israel, dating back to earlier times.

Herzog noted that the demonstrations often aim to erode and invalidate Israel's right to exist, which contradicts the stance Australia has taken, highlighting a discrepancy between Australia's actions and the protesters' message.

As part of his itinerary, the Israeli president will visit Canberra and Melbourne, where he is also scheduled to meet with Albanese for discussions.

On Monday, Alex Ryvchin, co-chair executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, expressed a warm welcome for Herzog's visit, representing Australia's peak Jewish body.

Ryvchin emphasized the significance of Herzog's visit for the families and survivors of the Bondi attack, suggesting it would bring solace to a community in distress and potentially lead to a reevaluation of the bilateral relationship between the two historic allies.

In 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Australia's decision to recognize Palestine as a state, labeling the move a "betrayal" of Israel and characterizing Australian leader Albanese as "weak" on the issue, which was also recognized by countries such as the UK and France.

However, organizations including the Jewish Council of Australia, established in 2024 to combat antisemitism and promote Palestinian rights, and the Australian National Imams Council, have expressed opposition to the invitation extended to Herzog.

According to Sarah Schwartz, executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, inviting a foreign head of state implicated in an ongoing genocide to represent the Jewish community is "deeply offensive" and may perpetuate the harmful conflation of Jewish identity with the actions of the Israeli state, ultimately undermining Jewish safety.

A letter published on Monday in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age, signed by 600 Australian Jews and organized by the Jewish Council of Australia, stated that Herzog "does not represent us" and is "not welcome" in the country.

Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, expressed dismay on X, describing the visit as a "difficult reality to accept" and a "somber day", reflecting the strong emotions evoked by the event.

In response to inquiries about the upcoming protests on Sunday, Albanese acknowledged the public's right to free expression, while also highlighting the sensitive timing of President Herzog's visit, which follows the recent antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi.

A report released by a UN commission in the previous year implicated Herzog, along with other Israeli leaders, in allegedly inciting genocide against Palestinians through their public statements and speeches.

The controversy surrounding Herzog stems from his remarks on October 7, 2023, in which he stated that an entire nation was responsible for the Hamas attacks on Israel, and a photo of him signing a shell destined for Gaza. These actions were cited in a legal case presented by South Africa to the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

Herzog has publicly denounced the UN report, claiming that his words were misinterpreted, while Israel's foreign minister described the report as "flawed and inaccurate".

According to the UN commission, Herzog's subsequent attempt to clarify his initial statement by acknowledging the presence of innocent Palestinians who disagree with Hamas's actions was seen as an effort to shift responsibility away from his original comment. Israel maintains that it has not engaged in genocidal activities in Gaza.

On Thursday, Chris Sidoti, a human rights lawyer from Australia and a member of the UN commission that authored the report, urged that Herzog face arrest, citing that the customary immunity afforded to heads of state should not extend to severe offenses like genocide.

Additionally, several federal lawmakers had expressed opposition to Herzog's visit prior to his arrival.