Why I’ll Be Protesting Herzog

I will be at protests next week against the visit of Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel.

I have never been a member of a political party.

I am not part of any activist groups.

I’ve never worn a keffiyeh.

I’m not doing this as an activist. I am doing it as an Aussie who believes, deeply, in human rights and dignity for all, in justice and the rule of law, and in social cohesion.

For most of my adult life, I worked inside government and diplomacy. I understand how important relationships between nations are. I understand why leaders visit. I understand the language of “complex situations”, “security concerns”, and “long histories”.

But I also understand something else.

There are moments when the scale of human suffering becomes so overwhelming, so visible, and so undeniable that silence becomes a form of participation and complicity.

This is one of those moments.

What’s happening in Gaza is not abstract geopolitics. It is not a debate. It’s daily, relentless destruction of civilian life on a scale that shocks the conscience.

Hospitals destroyed. Children buried under rubble. Families without water, food, or safe refuge. These are not slogans. They’re facts documented by the United Nations, humanitarian agencies, journalists, and survivors.

And in the middle of this, Australia is rolling out the red carpet for the head of state of the government responsible.

I don’t protest because I’m “pro-Palestinian” or “anti-Zionist”.

I protest because I’m pro-human.

I protest because rules that protect civilians matter.

I protest because international humanitarian law matters.

I protest because if these rules can be ignored without consequence, they’re not rules at all.

I protest because I care deeply about social cohesion in Australia.

Jewish Aussies are grieving, frightened, and angry after the horrors of 7 October. We all are. And many Palestinian and Arab Aussies are grieving, frightened, and angry watching the destruction of Gaza. Many more of us are confused, distressed, and unsure how to speak about any of it without being attacked.

I don’t want more division. I want more unity.

And I believe one way to reduce division is to be very clear about one thing: protection of civilians isn’t controversial. It’s not partisan. It’s not ideological. It’s a basic human principle.

You can condemn Hamas. You can support Israel’s right to exist. You can oppose antisemitism. And still say: what’s happening to civilians in Gaza is abhorrent.

That’s not a radical position.

It’s why I will stand quietly against the Herzog visit. Not shouting. Not abusing. Not hating. Just standing as a citizen saying: this matters.

I don’t hate Israel or Jewish people. I don’t hate anyone. I simply believe that when the suffering of civilians reaches this scale, and when our government chooses to validate that, then it’s an obligation for ordinary citizens to register their conscience.

That’s what I will be doing. Join me.

Gregory Andrews explains why he will be protesting peacefully against Herzog.