Protesters have gathered in front of a police barricade in Melbourne’s Southbank, near an event where Israeli President Isaac Herzog is addressing the local Jewish community.
Dozens of police have barricaded City Road in front of a large fence, close to a Zionist Federation of Australia-hosted event where the president is set to speak.
The final engagement in Herzog’s visit, the event has been sold as “an afternoon of reflection, unity and shared purpose”.
Victorian police secure streets ahead of a community event, An Afternoon of Light & Solidarity for Israeli President Isaac Herzog. (Getty)
Leaders including Premier Jacinta Allan, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and victims of the Bondi Terror attack are expected to attend the event, alongside scores of Victorian Jews.
A small group of pro-Palestine protesters demonstrated near the blockade, including several people dressed as police officers, demanding the arrest of Herzog.
“We have an international war criminal that is being currently protected by our local boys. It’s a problem,” one protester said.
The pro-Palestine group briefly interacted with a small number of counter-protesters waving Israeli flags, but the demonstration appears peaceful at this stage.
A small group of pro-Palestine protesters are demonstrating near the blockade, including several people dressed as police officers, demanding the arrest of Herzog. (Nine)Pro-Palestine protesters called for the arrest of Herzog. (Nine)Herzog touched down in Melbourne under heavy police guard for the last day of his Australian tour.
The president flew into a jet base in Tullamarine on an RAAF jet this morning ahead of a number of official engagements.
Escorted by a police convoy, Herzog arrived at Government House just before midday, where he met with Victoria’s Governor Margaret Gardner, as well as Premier Jacinta Allan.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, center, signs a visitors’ book as his wife, Michal, left, and Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner watch during a visit to Government House in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (Luis Enrique Ascui/Pool Photo via AP) (AP)
Police quickly shut down a demonstration by a small group of protesters outside the grounds of Government House.
The dignitary’s exact movements while in Australia have been shrouded in secrecy due to safety concerns, which were today escalated after offensive graffiti was discovered at a university campus.
The words “Death To Herzog + Israel + Oz” were scrawled across the University of Melbourne’s Parkville Campus in black spray paint alongside an inverted triangle – a symbol commonly used by pro-Palestine protesters and Hamas militia.
The graffiti was found scrawled across a University of Melbourne building today. (ABC)
“It’s absolutely contemptible because we all want peace to come and causing hurt and grief and violence like we’ve seen in Sydney, that does not bring peace,” Allan said of the graffiti.
Victoria Police will be out in force across the course of the day, with specialist forces brought in to help maintain safety and avoid a repeat of violent scenes in Sydney on Monday.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court granted police special powers to search individuals and vehicles in the vicinity of the president and his convoy.
“Victoria Police has been granted those powers that afford us, in specified areas, to seek the identities of individuals passing through that location, to search individuals, to search vehicles, and to cordon off a particular area,” Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Bob Hill said yesterday.
“It’s specific to areas he will visit and it will not directly relate to or impact upon the lawful protest activity that may occur here in Melbourne tomorrow evening.”
Police quickly moved on a small protest outside Government House during the President’s visit. (Nine)
Thousands of demonstrators are expected to take to the streets this evening in a major protest against Herzog’s “red carpet” tour.
“Tonight we’ll be protesting at Flinders Street Station at 5pm after four days of a war criminal touring our country, complete with a literal red carpet,” Students for Palestine’s Jasmine Duff said.
“How dare our politicians parade around this despicable war criminal who has presided over years of bombing hospitals and schools, massacring children, and wiping out entire family lines.”
Herzog strongly denies those claims.
A strong police presence was seen at Government House this morning. (Nine)
The 2.5-hour rally is expected to kick off from the steps of Flinders Street Station at 5pm, before protesters march up Swanston Street to Parliament House.
“Monday’s protest in Melbourne was largely peaceful and the majority of the crowd was well behaved. At this time, we are expecting Thursday’s protests to be the same,” Hill said.
“We respect the right of individuals to protest but only when it’s done lawfully and peacefully.
“Again, our number one aim is to ensure the safety of all involved and we will be working with all parties to make sure that’s the case.”
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