Full Breakdown
Controversy Surrounds Petition Against Israeli President Herzog's Visit to Australia
2/9/2026, 7:51:12 PM
Allegations of Falsified Signatures
A petition opposing Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia, organized by the Jewish Council of Australia (JCA), has ignited controversy due to allegations of fake signatures. The petition, which appeared as full-page advertisements in the *Sydney Morning Herald* and *The Age*, claims to have garnered over 1,000 signatures from Jews stating that Herzog is unwelcome in Australia. However, it has been revealed that the list includes names of individuals who did not consent to their inclusion, as well as names that are not real or are transliterated insults in Hebrew.
Notable Names and Their Implications
Among the names listed are those of individuals with troubling historical associations. Eliezer Gruenbaum, a Jewish communist who became a kapo at Auschwitz, and Carmen Mory, a Swiss spy executed for her collaboration with Nazi Germany, are included. Josef Heiden, another kapo known for his cruelty at Dachau, also appears on the list. Critics have pointed out that the inclusion of these names raises questions about the integrity of the petition and the motivations behind it.
Community Response and Criticism
David Slade, a prominent figure whose name was used without his consent, publicly denounced the petition, labeling it a "gross ethical failure." He emphasized his support for Herzog and the Australian Jewish community. Other individuals, including Jason Gluck, have also reported their names being falsely listed. The JCA's actions have drawn criticism from various quarters, with Executive Council of Australia's CEO Peter Wertheim describing the JCA as an "outlier" within the Jewish community. He noted that the petition represents a minuscule fraction of the approximately 110,000-120,000 Jews in Australia, where a significant majority maintain strong ties to Israel.
Broader Implications and Alliances
The JCA's petition is not only controversial for its content but also for its affiliations. The organization has collaborated with groups linked to Hezbollah and the Muslim Brotherhood, calling for the Australian government to deny Herzog a visa and initiate a criminal investigation against him. This partnership has further fueled concerns about the JCA's credibility and intentions within the broader context of Australian Jewish and Muslim relations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the JCA claims to represent a substantial portion of Jewish opinion in Australia, surveys indicate that a significant majority of Australian Jews support Israel's existence and its right to security. The discrepancy between the JCA's claims and the broader community sentiment highlights a gap in representation and raises questions about the motivations behind the petition.
Verbatim Quotes
- “(credit: REUTERS/HOLLIE ADAMS) Newspaper ad opposing Herzog's visit draws anger over false names "Let me be absolutely clear: I did not sign, endorse, or authorize my name to be included in this publication," he said.” — David Slade, Managing Director of Slade Pharmacies
- “This myth that is being put out in the media is misleading; it is trying to elevate what is a micro opinion within the Jewish community as some substantial body of opinion,” — Peter Wertheim, Executive Council of Australia's CEO
- “To remove any doubt about where I stand: I am a proud Australian, a Zionist, and I stand in full solidarity with the Australian Jewish community and with Israel, including President Herzog’s visit to Australia.” — David Slade
The controversy surrounding the petition against President Herzog's visit underscores the complexities of Jewish identity and opinion in Australia, as well as the challenges of representing diverse perspectives within the community.