The Morning Edition

Episode: Who is Isaac Herzog and why are there protests everywhere he goes?
Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Samantha Selinger-Morris
Guest: Chip Le Grand (Chief Reporter, The Age)

Episode Overview

This episode explores the controversial visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia, following the Bondi terror attack, and examines why his arrival has prompted widespread protests. Host Samantha Selinger-Morris and chief reporter Chip Le Grand dive into Herzog's background, the nature of his presidency, his position on the war in Gaza, and the consequences of his visit for both the Jewish Australian community and the broader political climate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Background of Isaac Herzog and His Ties to Australia

• Generational Connections:

  • The Herzog family’s central role in Israeli history and deep ties with key Australian Jewish leaders like the Liebler family.
  • Isaac Herzog's background: Lawyer, long-time Knesset member, former leader of the Labor Party, and a proponent of the two-state solution (01:21–02:50).
  • “The ties between the family stretches back through three generations.” — Chip Le Grand (02:47)

• Genesis of the Visit:

  • Following Bondi attack, Herzog reached out to Jewish leaders with support, prompting the idea of a condolence visit to Australia (02:55–03:38).

2. Nature of Herzog's Presidency

• Herzog’s Position:
  • While his role is often described as apolitical, Le Grand clarifies the presidency’s political weight and elected (not appointed) status (04:15–04:45).
  • “He is a political head of state. I don’t think it’s quite like the Governor General… The big difference being that he was elected.” — Chip Le Grand (04:17)
  • Herzog’s Labour Party background differentiates him from the current far-right Israeli government, but as president, he’s upheld a largely ceremonial, unifying function (04:45–06:15).

3. Controversies Surrounding Herzog’s Stance on Gaza

• Allegations and Condemnations:

  • Herzog was accused by a UN Commission of incitement to genocide due to remarks made days after October 7, 2023; he has since argued his words were misinterpreted (06:21–07:40).
  • Key quote: “It is not true, this rhetoric about civilians who were not aware and not involved... they could have risen up, they could have fought against that evil regime which took over Gaza in a coup d’etat.” — Isaac Herzog, recounted by Le Grand (07:40)
  • Hostility heightened by Herzog’s act of writing a message (“I rely on you”) on an artillery shell used in Gaza, sparking further international criticism (09:57–10:10).

• Herzog’s Current Position:

  • Le Grand notes, “In the two years and a bit since October 7th, there hasn’t been any distance between Isaac Herzog and the Netanyahu government in terms of what they’ve said publicly about the conduct of the war in Gaza.” (10:57)

4. Significance of Herzog’s Visit for the Jewish Australian Community

• Symbolic and Emotional Importance:

  • Herzog’s visit offers consolation to Bondi victims' families and signals ongoing support from Israel (11:53–12:52).
  • “There is still this inherent link and relationship between Israel and Australia which really goes back… to the time when Israel was established.” — Chip Le Grand (13:30)
  • For Jewish Australians, the gesture offers solace amid rising anti-Semitism and political isolation.

• Complexity and Division:

  • Some Jewish Australians welcome the visit as comfort, while others feel it blurs the line between supporting Jewish people and endorsing controversial Israeli policies (14:54–16:10).
  • Pro-Palestinian and some Jewish groups oppose the visit due to allegations against Herzog and the Israeli government’s conduct in Gaza.

5. Australian Government’s Role and State Visit Status

• Why a State Visit?

  • The Albanese government elevated Herzog’s visit from a community event to a full state visit, marking the first such occasion by a Jewish head of state since 1986 (17:31–18:24).
  • “It’s really significant… that higher level connection and support that Australia has always had and continues to have for Israel.” — Chip Le Grand (18:28)

• Does This Signal a Policy Shift?

  • Despite speculation, Le Grand asserts, “There isn’t… a shift. Australia’s disagreements with Israel remain serious and unchanged about the conduct of the war, about their settlement policies, about the future of a Palestinian state.” (19:09–19:41)

6. Impact and Polarization

• Has the Visit Helped or Harmed?

  • Le Grand weighs the visit’s effects, acknowledging its importance to many Jewish Australians, yet recognizing the increased tension and potential for it to open new wounds (20:10 ff).
  • “If you’re ever going to protest… the Israeli president here, that’s as good a reason as any you would think. But it would be awful if you had a situation where protesters are heckling just ordinary Jewish people… as they’re trying to get into a community event.” — Chip Le Grand (21:07)

• Entrenched Division:

  • Selinger-Morris and Le Grand reflect on the near impossibility of reconciling the deeply polarized camps — those seeking solace and those demanding accountability for Gaza.
  • “There isn’t that empathy. There isn’t that communication. The camps are just so polarised now and that’s the real, that’s the real shame.” — Chip Le Grand (23:00)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Herzog’s Family Ties:
  “The ties between the family stretches back through three generations.”
  — Chip Le Grand (02:47)

• On Herzog’s Political Role:
  “He is a political head of state. I don’t think it’s quite like the Governor General… The big difference being that he was elected.”
  — Chip Le Grand (04:17)

• On Words That Sparked UN Condemnation:
  “It is not true, this rhetoric about civilians who were not aware and not involved... they could have risen up, they could have fought against that evil regime which took over Gaza in a coup d’etat.”
  — Isaac Herzog, recounted by Chip Le Grand (07:40)

• On Comfort for Jewish Australians:
  “There is still this inherent link and relationship between Israel and Australia which really goes back… to the time when Israel was established.”
  — Chip Le Grand (13:30)

• On the Lack of Policy Shift:
  “There isn’t… a shift. Australia’s disagreements with Israel remain serious and unchanged…”
  — Chip Le Grand (19:41)

• On Entrenched Divides:
  “There isn’t that empathy. There isn’t that communication. The camps are just so polarised now and that’s the real, that’s the real shame.”
  — Chip Le Grand (23:00)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:21 — Herzog family history and Australian Jewish connections
• 03:47 — Herzog’s political position and role as president
• 06:21 — Controversy over Herzog’s Gaza comments and UN condemnation
• 10:57 — Analysis of Herzog’s current political stance on Gaza
• 11:45 — Significance of Herzog’s visit for Bondi victims and Jewish Australians
• 14:54 — Debate within the Australian Jewish community about the visit
• 17:31 — State visit status and its diplomatic meaning
• 19:09 — Does the visit signal a policy shift? (No, per Le Grand)
• 20:10 — Weighing whether the visit has been helpful or harmful
• 23:00 — Entrenched divisions and lack of communication between opposing sides

Tone & Language

The conversation is candid, analytical, and empathetic, maintaining a journalistic objectivity while also delving into the emotional realities for affected communities.

Summary prepared for those seeking a nuanced understanding of Isaac Herzog’s Australian visit, its repercussions, and the broader debate about Australia's stance toward Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.