Seven of my relatives were killed in Gaza. For me, Herzog’s visit was never an abstract debate | Shamikh Badra

Australia stands at a crossroads as it rolled out the red carpet for some, while greeting others with batons

I

saac Herzog’s visit to Australia was not a routine diplomatic engagement. It was an ethical and political test of the Australian state. At the very moment a red carpet was rolled out for a man accused of inciting genocide, peaceful Australian citizens were met with batons while exercising their democratic right to protest.

For me, this was never an abstract political debate. Before the visit, I pursued the legal channels that are meant to protect citizens and lodged a formal complaint with the Australian government about the role Herzog played in rhetoric and policies that contributed to the destruction of my family in Gaza. Seven of my relatives were killed. My father died because of a lack of medicine, food and water. My brother, his wife, their four children and her father were also killed. Their bodies remain buried beneath the rubble. Despite the seriousness of this complaint, I have received no response from the government.

I later attended a protest in Sydney convened specifically in opposition to Herzog’s visit. I did so peacefully. Yet I witnessed fellow demonstrators being confronted with batons and excessive force. My concerns were disregarded when I sought redress through legal channels, and my rights were not respected when I turned to lawful protest. The impression was clear: the state was more intent on silencing dissent than engaging with it.