Grief as Currency: The Political Mobilization of Empathy
THE ACTORS: Who is involved in this story? Isaac Herzog, President of Israel: A figurehead with a diplomatic role, representing the Israeli state on the global stage. His current term commenced in 2021. Australian Government Officials: Hosting Herzog, participating in ceremonies, and issuing statements of mutual support. Australia has historically been a strong ally of Israel, recently reaffirmed
through joint defense exercises (2023). Victims' Families: Individuals who suffered direct loss, their grief becoming a focal point for the public narrative. Australian Media: Amplifying the visit and its stated intentions, often framing it as a gesture of international camaraderie. THE FUNDING: Where does their money come from? Israeli Presidential Office: Funded by the Israeli state budget. The
budget for the President's Residence, including diplomatic travel, was approximately 61.1 million new Israeli Shekels (around $16.5 million USD) in 2023. Australian Taxpayers: Covering security and logistical costs for such high-profile international visits, as is standard diplomatic protocol. Lobbying Groups: Organizations like the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), which reported
expenditure of AUD $1.4 million in 2022-23 (source: AIJAC Annual Report 2023), actively shape public discourse and political alignment between the two nations, often facilitating such reciprocal gestures. THE INCENTIVES: What do they gain from this narrative? For Israel: The visit allows Herzog to project an image of a compassionate global leader, aligning Israel with international victims of