Israel's President Isaac Herzog Visits Sydney Amid Australia's Political Storm and Tough Coalition Polls
February 9, 2026
Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, arrived in Sydney for a four-day visit. He came to meet survivors and families of the Bondi terror attack. Herzog landed this morning with his wife, Michal Herzog. Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman received them at Sydney airport. A court hearing today will decide if marches against Herzog’s visit at Sydney Town Hall can occur, despite NSW government restrictions.
In Australian politics, the Coalition has reunited after a three-week split. Their latest Newspoll shows a low 18% primary vote, with One Nation rising to 27%. The Liberals have 15%, and the Nationals only 3%. Former frontbencher Jane Hume called the party a "rabble" and urged leaders Sussan Ley and David Littleproud to find a clear message to reconnect with voters.
Ley acknowledged public frustration on Seven’s Sunrise, saying, "Millions of Australians are frustrated ... when they don’t see a clear united message coming out of Canberra, they mark us down." She stressed that the Coalition resolved its internal differences and is now focused on Australians.
Queensland Senator James McGrath said on RN Breakfast, "I’m not going to sprinkle gold dust on a cow pat. The polling is dire. It is horrible. It is terrible." He blamed the poor poll on the Coalition spending too much time talking about themselves instead of focusing on the government. McGrath urged everyone to "calm down, have a cup of tea or a coffee and just work out what unites us."
Meanwhile, Labor’s government continues after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returned from Indonesia, signing a defence pact. Within Labor, some concerns about Herzog’s visit remain, voiced by Ed Husic.
The political scene in Australia remains tense with leadership pressure on the Coalition amid Herzog’s diplomatic visit to Sydney.
Read More at Theguardian →
Tags:
Israel
Isaac herzog
Sydney Visit
Bondi Terror Attack
Coalition Split
Newspoll
Comments