A Retired Israeli General’s Visit Sparks Calls for Arrest in Australia – But Will Justice Prevail?
The impending visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with mass protests planned and even some Labor MPs voicing their disapproval. But here’s where it gets even more contentious: a coalition of Australian and Palestinian legal groups is urging the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to investigate and arrest Doron Almog, a retired Israeli major general traveling with Herzog, over long-standing allegations of war crimes. And this is the part most people miss: Almog, a decorated former officer and recipient of Israel’s highest honor, has previously faced arrest warrants for his alleged role in the destruction of Palestinian homes and a deadly bombing in Gaza in 2002.
Almog, who chairs the Jewish Agency for Israel, vehemently denies these allegations. In 2005, he narrowly avoided arrest at London’s Heathrow Airport after being tipped off about a warrant issued by a British court. The warrant stemmed from claims that he ordered the demolition of over 50 Palestinian homes in Gaza in 2002, an act described as a war crime. Almog remained on his El Al plane for two hours before returning to Israel, later stating, ‘I don’t know how [the military attaché] found out, but I am glad he did.’
But here’s where it gets controversial: Almog has also been implicated in the 2002 al-Daraj bombing, where a one-tonne bomb targeting Hamas leader Salah Shehadeh killed 14 others, mostly babies and children. While the UK warrant has since been withdrawn, four legal organizations—the Australian Centre for International Justice, Al Haq, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, and the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights—have filed a submission with the AFP, demanding Almog’s investigation for alleged violations of the Geneva Conventions during his command in Gaza from 2000 to 2003.
The submission argues that under Australian law, such grave breaches are serious criminal offenses, and Australia is obligated to act. Rawan Arraf, the ACIJ’s executive director, stated bluntly, ‘He must be arrested. He must answer to the credible allegations made against him. This impunity that Israel and its leaders enjoy, must end.’
A Counterpoint to Consider: The Jewish Agency for Israel has dismissed the allegations as ‘incorrect and baseless,’ asserting that no international authority has attributed any legal violations to Almog. This raises a thought-provoking question: How should nations balance diplomatic relations with their obligations to international justice? Should Almog be granted immunity simply because he is traveling with a head of state?
Herzog’s visit itself is fraught with tension. Invited by the Australian government to foster unity after the antisemitic massacre in Bondi, the invitation has instead deepened divisions. Labor MP Ed Husic expressed his discomfort, stating, ‘It’s really hard for me to reconcile the vision of him [Herzog] signing bombs that went on to be dropped on Palestinian homes … with the notion of social cohesion.’ Herzog’s recent actions, including signing an artillery shell destined for Gaza with the message ‘I rely on you,’ have further fueled criticism.
And this is the part most people miss: A UN commission alleged in 2023 that Herzog incited genocide against Palestinians by declaring all Gazans responsible for Hamas attacks. While Herzog denies this, claiming his words were taken out of context, the controversy persists. As Chris Sidoti, a UN panel commissioner, wrote in the Guardian, the invitation to Herzog was a ‘terrible mistake.’
As the AFP reviews the submission, the question remains: Will Australia uphold its legal obligations, or will diplomatic considerations prevail? What do you think? Should Almog be investigated, or is this a matter best left untouched? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s engage in a respectful yet critical discussion about justice, diplomacy, and accountability.
