A heated debate has erupted over the potential visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia, with legal groups calling for the arrest of a retired general traveling in his entourage. The controversy revolves around Doron Almog, a former major general in the Israel Defense Forces, who is accused of historical war crimes in Gaza in 2002. Almog, who denies the allegations, faced arrest warrants in the UK over the destruction of Palestinian homes and the al-Daraj bombing, which resulted in civilian casualties. Despite the withdrawal of the UK warrant, Australian legal organizations have now joined the call for an investigation, citing Almog's role as Commanding Officer of the Israeli military's Southern Command from 2000 to 2003, during which numerous human rights violations occurred in the Gaza Strip. The submission alleges that under his command, the Israeli military committed grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has referred the case to its Special Investigations Command, and legal experts argue that Almog should be investigated for his actions as chair of the Jewish Agency, which encourages Jewish immigration to Israel. The situation has sparked a broader discussion about the invitation of Herzog to Australia, with concerns raised by Labor MPs and the public regarding social cohesion and the potential impact of the visit on relations between Australia and Israel.
