Israeli President Isaac Herzog blasts genocide ‘lie’, says anti-Semitism is present in Australia

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has shut down suggestions that he has incited genocide, blasting the “libellous lie”, saying that Israel wants peace and an end to war in the Middle East.

Speaking exclusively with Sunrise on Thursday morning, Mr Herzog told host Nat Barr that US President Donald Trump has played an instrumental role in progressing peace, but warned that the “proof” would be in the pudding to see if Hamas is prepared to disarm.

Mr Herzog was officially invited to Australia by the Governor-General in the wake of the anti-Semitic terror attack at Bondi Beach, which saw 15 innocent people killed.

“This has been a very emotional trip,” he told Sunrise in an exclusive interview.

“It has been a trip where I could hug and strengthen and console the Jewish community, which has gone through a horrific Bondi Beach terror attack.”

Mr Herzog said from what he has seen during his visit, his message to Jewish people and the world was that anti-Semitism is present in Australia, but the country also has a silent mass who hold love for Jews.

“I am saying to my people and the Jewish people around the world, that I found an Australia that is different than depicted, there is antisemitism,” he told Sunrise.

“There is anti-Semitism. It is frightening and worrying, but there’s also a silent majority of Australians who seek peace, who respect the Jewish community, and of course, want a dialogue with Israel.”

Pushed on the backlash his visit has sparked, Mr Herzog said he had never incited genocide, and questioned where Australian protesters were demonstrating against violence in Iran.

“God forbid I never incited genocide,” he said, defending a comment he walked back in an interview.

“It’s a libellous lie. And that’s part of the whole circumstances of basis. We were attacked by the most (horrible) organisation on October 7th.

“It is extremely difficult, extremely painful. None of us want war.

“All I want is for our neighbours to live in peace. Believe me, I care for the pain of the Palestinians, but terror cannot reign in the world.”

Mr Herzog said suggestions that he had incited genocide were “brainwashing”, adding that they had no basis.

“By the way, the Iranian regime is spreading hate all over and killing its own citizens and not caring about their goodwill. I ask all these protesters in Australia, where are you when about 50,000 (Iranians are) killed brutally by their own regime,” he added.

He went on to explain how, when Israel went into Gaza to defend itself after October 7, the Israeli Defence Force found “endless tunnels and ammunition”, including stockpiles in civilian homes, saying it was a “difficult” terrain.

He said he hoped foreign press would be allowed into Gaza soon, so they could see the “real story”.

Mr Herzog thanked Mr Trump for his work in securing peace in the Middle East, calling out his role in securing the release of hostages held by Hamas after October 7.

“Now a whole worldwide effort is based in Israel and in Gaza in order to decommission Hamas, take out its arms and enable a better future with huge development and investment in Gaza,” Herzog said. “Is it realistic? Is it feasible? We pray and hope, yes.”

Mr Herzog told Sunrise that meetings with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were productive.

“(It is) also an opportunity to reignite the incredible relations we have with Australia throughout the history of our nations,” he said.

Mr Herzog’s visit, which was organised in the wake of Jewish Australians being killed in an anti-Semitic terror attack, has been met with outrage from pro-Palestine groups.

Protests in capital cities have drawn large crowds, and the first night of protests in Sydney resulted in charges and arrests for those who allegedly did not comply with police orders.

More protests are planned in Melbourne on Thursday, the final stop in Mr Herzog’s visit.

He did intend to visit the Adass Israel Synagogue in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea on Thursday, the religious site which was the target of a fire bombing in 2024, however, the visit was cancelled due to security concerns.