CANBERRA - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday officially welcomed Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia amid widespread protests against the visit.

Albanese welcomed Herzog at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday and thanked him for providing comfort and solidarity to Australia's Jewish community following the antisemitic terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach in December.

Albanese said that he had used the meeting with Herzog to push for full accountability for the death of Australian aid worker Lalzawmi Frankcom, who was killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza in April 2024.

Speaking alongside Albanese, Herzog said that the visit has been emotional, but that it was important to strengthen the Jewish community after the mass shooting that left 16 people dead, including one of the two suspected perpetrators.

Pro-Palestine protests have been held across Australia in response to Herzog's visit, including a demonstration in central Sydney on Monday night that turned violent when protesters clashed with police, resulting in 27 arrests.

A corresponding protest outside Parliament House on Wednesday was attended by hundreds of people.