Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in Australia on February 9, 2026, for a four-day official visit with Prime Minister Albanese to commemorate victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in December 2025. The attack during Hanukkah killed 15 people and injured dozens, marking Australia’s deadliest hate crime in nearly 29 years.

Herzog laid a wreath and met victims’ families at Bondi Beach. He also met leaders and Jewish cultural and religious institutions, reiterating a joint stance against terrorism and hate, noting that antisemitism is rising globally and Australia is not immune.

Pro-Palestinian groups and human rights organizations held large protests in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, and Adelaide, criticizing Israel for civilian casualties in Gaza and accusing the Australian government of ignoring Palestinian perspectives.

Police and some protesters clashed in Sydney’s city center. The NSW government, under newly enacted “major events” laws, restricted protest areas and deployed significant police resources to maintain order. Supporters of Herzog argue the visit symbolizes democratic solidarity and condemnation of hate. Both Israeli and Australian leadership framed the visit as promoting anti-hate unity and strengthening diplomatic and social ties.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces the most serious political crisis of his premiership after appointing Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the US in 2024. Recently released documents reveal Mandelson’s ties to the late sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer’s government has faced significant trust issues both in Parliament and publicly.

Documents indicate Mandelson had email and financial exchanges with Epstein in the 2000s and may have provided sensitive government information while serving as Business Secretary. Following the revelations, Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and the House of Lords, leaving his diplomatic post early. Starmer apologized to victims, admitting he “trusted Mandelson’s judgment” and that he would not have approved the appointment had he known the full situation.

Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigned, taking responsibility for the nomination error, followed by communications chief Tim Allan, signaling escalation of the scandal. Several Labour MPs called for Starmer to resign, questioning his leadership and weakening Labour’s support ahead of upcoming elections. Starmer vowed to continue governing and release review documents to increase transparency while asserting commitment to ongoing reforms.

Freestyle skier Hunter Hess expressed on February 4 during the Winter Olympics that representing the United States amid current political and social conditions left him feeling “conflicted,” saying, “Wearing the flag doesn’t mean I agree with everything happening in the US.” He emphasized that he represented the country’s positive values rather than endorsing all policies.

Trump responded aggressively on Truth Social, calling Hess “a real loser” and questioning whether he should even be on the US Olympic team, saying, “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have qualified.” Presidential criticism of an Olympic athlete is extremely rare and quickly attracted domestic and international attention.

Hess clarified on social media that he loves the United States and stressed the importance of free speech and Olympic spirit. Teammates and other athletes publicly supported Hess, noting that expressing different opinions on the international stage does not mean lack of patriotism and urged tolerance and understanding. The US Olympic Committee also stated support for athletes’ mental health and right to speak freely.

Hess plans to continue competing in freestyle skiing, and the verbal exchange has become a major media focus.