The Red Carpet of Accountability
THE ACTORS: Australian Government: Hosting Isaac Herzog, issuing statements about 'restraint.' Isaac Herzog: President of Israel, visitor to Australia. Accused by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of incitement to genocide (ICJ, 2024). Protesters: Groups in Sydney, including Palestinian solidarity activists and human rights advocates. New South Wales Police: Made at least 27
arrests during the protests, with allegations of excessive force (Independent, 2026). THE FUNDING: While direct funding for Herzog's visit isn't disclosed in the article, state visits typically incur significant government expenditure. The Australian government allocated A$7.1 billion in foreign aid in 2023-24, with significant portions directed towards strategic partners. The broader diplomatic
relationship between Australia and Israel includes defense industry cooperation and intelligence sharing, which involves substantial, often opaque, financial flows. For instance, Australia approved military export permits to Israel valued at A$10.3 million between 2017-2022 (Australian Department of Defence, 2023). THE INCENTIVES: Australian Government: Maintaining an image of unwavering support
for an ally, particularly in a period of geopolitical instability, and avoiding any diplomatic incidents that could be perceived as criticism of Israel. The 'calls for restraint' can be read as a deflection from the substance of the protest. Isaac Herzog: Projecting an image of international legitimacy and support, countering the isolation efforts stemming from ICJ proceedings. Protesters: Raising