Governor General Sam Mostyn has welcomed Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Government House, her official residence in Canberra.
Senior politicians including Speaker Milton Dick, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley were in attendance, as well as Jewish MP Mark Dreyfus and Australia’s special envoy to combat anti-Semitism Jillian Segal.
Israel’s outgoing ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon also attended the event, as well as senior bureaucrats.
Mr Herzog, accompanied by his wife Michal, was welcomed by a ceremonial 21-gun salute by the Federation Guard and followed an inspection of the guard.
Here’s what Ms Mostyn said in her welcoming remarks before a private meeting with the President:
“Mr President, as Governor General, I am delighted to welcome you here to Government House in Canberra, for you and Mrs Herzog to join us.
“I am struck by the fact that 40 years ago, this year, your father, the then-president, visited this place and attended a state dinner that was hosted by a former governor general. We have been able to find a photo of your father when he was down in Melbourne visiting the students.
“It says so much about that visit, 40 years ago that you’ve now arrived into Canberra.
“I think it’s important to say that as soon as the events of Bondi took place, it was important for the Governor General to show fidelity with the Jewish Australians, with those affected at Bondi.
“And I think it is terribly important that your visit is one that stands with those who are still grieving, those that want to know that they are safe, and that your visit has been very important to them.
“I have also … found in the National Library a photo of the day which a former Governor General, Sir Zelman Cowan, was sworn into office and he entered this house, and that’s from the Australian Jewish Times, at the time celebrating his arrival into this office.
“So I’m very, very pleased to welcome you and your wife and delegation here. I look forward to our conversations.”
In reply, Mr Herzog said:
“We are honoured to be here. It’s a great moment in relations between our nations.
“I come here to express our condolences and bereavement and pain and love to the Jewish community in Australia.
“And I’m very honoured to be with you. I know how much you spend time in consoling and supporting the Jewish community. We appreciate that, as well as the steps taken by the government following that.
“We both share the need to fight anti-Semitism with no doubt in their mind so that we uproot this terrible phenomenon.
“We also share the hope that we can bring the relations between our nations on a renewed path.
“Israel and Australia go back long ago. There’s a long history. Your soldiers were the ones who liberated our land in 1917 which led to the creation of our state later on, and because you were the first nation to declare Israel’s right to exist and recognise it.
“I’m honoured to see my father’s picture here. He came with my mother and with a young bride who was married to his son – that means my wife Michal. They actually resided here — things have changed.
“We are very happy and honoured, and I hope it will serve as a big message to both nations and both peoples.”
Ms Mostyn finished the public remarks by noting, “I always say that this is a place of peace, where all are welcome.”
