Jewish Council, peak Muslim body file criminal complaint against Israeli president
Complaint references Australia's new hate laws in calling for Isaac Herzog's arrest
Lawyers representing Jewish and Muslim groups have asked federal authorities to investigate Israeli President Isaac Herzog over alleged criminal offences under Australian law.
The letter of complaint was sent Thursday afternoon by high-profile barrister Robert Richter KC on behalf of the Jewish Council of Australia (JCA), the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and the Hind Rajab Foundation.
It formally requests authorities “issue and be prepared to execute an arrest warrant upon [Herzog’s] arrival in Australian jurisdiction”.
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Herzog is scheduled to visit Australia from February 8 to 12, with planning information obtained by Deepcut suggesting events could be held in Sydney on February 9 and Melbourne on February 12.
The visit has provoked outrage from Australian civil society groups with Amnesty Australia calling for Herzog to be investigated for genocide in Gaza, and the JCA urging the government to rescind its invitation.
“President Herzog represents a state found to be committing genocide in Gaza,” Ohad Kozminsky, JCA executive member, said.
“His presence in Australia would identify this state with Australian Jews, which risks exacerbating social division and endangering Australian Jewish communities,” he added.
Visit could ‘provoke unrest’
The letter of complaint, seen by Deepcut, cited Australia’s controversial new hate laws as well as the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 (Cth) and the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) as grounds for an AFP criminal investigation.
“The principal objection to President Isaac Herzog’s visit is that it is likely to exacerbate social discord,” the complaint read.
“His presence would be highly inflammatory, risking further division within the Australian community and potentially provoking unrest or violence.”
The complaint was also sent to the attorney general and home affairs minister with an added request to cancel Herzog’s visa.
Herzog accused of inciting genocide
Both the JCA and ANIC pointed to past public statements by Herzog which a UN Commission of Inquiry in September 2025 found had incited genocide.
The UN Commission referenced remarks Herzog made in October 2023 that suggested all Palestinians in Gaza were responsible for the October 7 Hamas attack.
“President Herzog’s statements attributing collective guilt to an entire people are a textbook manifestation of anti-Palestinian racism and Israel’s ongoing campaign of dehumanisation,” Kozminsky said.
An ANIC statement said other “serious concerns” included alleged “complicity in war crimes, and unlawful hate speech under Australian and international law”.
Israeli forces have slaughtered at least 71,000 Palestinians in Gaza and killed 488 people since last October’s ceasefire. Israel still occupies 58% of the Gaza Strip.
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