Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said the government “always considers legal advice” on its obligations under international law amid calls for Australian authorities to arrest Israeli President Isaac Herzog for the alleged incitement of genocide when he arrives next week.
Chris Sidoti, a member of the UN commission of inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territories, said Herzog should be detained because the inquiry had found that he had allegedly incited genocide.
“Is Australia obliged to take such action under international law?” ABC Radio National host Sally Sara asked Wong.
“President Herzog is coming to Australia to honour the victims of the worst antisemitic attack in our country’s history. At Bondi, he’s coming to provide support to the Australian Jewish community. The community asks for President Herzog to visit, and he’s been invited by the governor-general at the request of the prime minister,” Wong replied.
Asked whether the Australian government had sought legal advice, Wong said: “We always consider legal advice in relation to our obligations. I’ve made the point, we have invited him.
“Israel will be judged by the International Court of Justice on its compliance with the Genocide Convention. And I’ve also said previously that it must accept its responsibility for the humanitarian situation in Gaza. But let’s again go back to the context of this visit.
“We have families mourning, and this was a request from the Jewish community for President Herzog to visit. He is here to provide support to that community and to honour the victims of this horrific terror attack.”
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