A 19-year-old from Sydney faces charges for allegedly threatening Israeli President Isaac Herzog before his visit to Australia. The Australian Federal Police disclosed that the man was apprehended and accused of making an online threat towards a foreign head of state. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to arrive in Australia for a five-day visit following an invitation from the federal government.
Authorities revealed that the threat against Herzog was investigated by the National Security Investigations team in January. The 19-year-old was arrested at his residence after a search warrant was executed and charged with using a carriage service to make a threat to kill, an offense that could lead to a maximum of 10 years in prison. Herzog’s upcoming visit is anticipated to be met with protests by pro-Palestine activists.
Amidst the preparations for Herzog’s visit, Australian human rights lawyer Chris Sidoti suggested that Herzog should be arrested upon arrival for allegedly inciting genocide. This suggestion came after a UN report in September accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. In response, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong mentioned that the government had considered legal advice regarding international law obligations before extending the invitation to Herzog.
