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The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has supported a proposal to remove Prince Andrew from the line of succession to the British throne, a position also backed by New Zealand. This symbolic political statement follows Andrew's association with the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Separately, newly released Epstein-related documents mention Australian mining billionaire Clive Palmer, with one document indicating a Trump campaign official claimed Palmer helped produce political ads for an Australian election.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog's official visit to Australia was a major event, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese discussing strengthened bilateral relations and a united stance against Iran. Albanese also raised concerns about an Australian aid worker killed in Gaza. The visit provoked large and at times violent protests in Sydney and other cities, with demonstrators calling for Herzog's arrest over allegations related to Gaza. Police used pepper spray and made several arrests. Australian leaders urged calm, and the government rejected calls from legal groups to arrest Herzog or a retired Israeli general traveling with him. In a separate diplomatic matter, France and Germany have called for United Nations special rapporteur Francesca Albanese to resign following comments she made describing Israel as a 'common enemy of humanity,' which France labeled 'outrageous.' Albanese has rejected the calls and a UN resolution has been filed seeking her resignation.
3 topics | 59 sources
France and Germany have called for Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, to resign. They criticized comments she made about Israel, which she described as being taken out of context. Albanese has rejected calls for her resignation. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has distanced himself from her remarks, stating the UN does not always agree with what she says.
7 topics | 119 sources
Feb 11 — Feb 13
Israeli President's Australia visit sparks protests and diplomatic talksIsraeli President Isaac Herzog visited Australia for official meetings with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other leaders. The two discussed strengthening relations and were united in their stance against Iran, while Albanese also raised concerns about an Australian aid worker killed in Gaza. Large protests erupted in Sydney and other cities against Herzog's visit, with demonstrators calling for his arrest over allegations of inciting genocide in Gaza. The protests turned violent, leading to clashes with police who used pepper spray, resulting in several arrests. Australian leaders urged calm in response to the unrest, and legal groups pushed for federal police to arrest a retired Israeli general traveling with Herzog, though the government rejected calls to arrest the president himself.