In Sydney, Australia, police confronted pro-Palestinian demonstrators protesting Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit, which was intended to offer condolences for victims of a recent attack in Bondi. The visit took place following an incident that resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The protests highlighted tensions surrounding Herzog's presence amidst ongoing conflicts in the region.

Reports indicate that officers employed pepper spray to disperse the crowd and deployed tear gas against journalists who attempted to cover the event as it shifted outside the designated protest route. Video footage additionally captured police aggression towards Muslim protesters who were engaged in prayer during the demonstrations, prompting condemnation from the Sydney Imams Council, who have called for an investigation into the use of force against attendees.

A parallel protest occurred in Melbourne, demanding an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. During his visit, Herzog stated that his purpose was to show solidarity and support for the Jewish community in the wake of the Bondi attack, emphasizing that the assault was an affront to all Australians, as it symbolically attacked shared values of the nation.