Secret Meetings and Unanswered Questions: What Was Israel’s President Doing at ASIO?
In a move that has sparked both curiosity and controversy, Australia’s top spy, Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), held a clandestine meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his recent visit to Canberra. But here’s where it gets controversial: this meeting was deliberately kept off the public itinerary and only came to light after persistent Senate questioning by independent senator David Pocock. Why the secrecy? And what does it mean for Australia’s international relations?
The revelation emerged after Senator Pocock pressed Foreign Minister Penny Wong in the Senate, asking directly whether President Herzog had visited ASIO headquarters. Minister Wong’s response? She declined to confirm, citing the ‘sensitive’ nature of such matters. It wasn’t until later that ASIO itself confirmed the meeting, stating that it was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen international cooperation on global threats, particularly in the wake of the Bondi attack. But this is the part most people miss: Israel is not a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which Australia is part of, raising questions about the nature and scope of this collaboration.
A Meeting Shrouded in Secrecy
ASIO’s spokeswoman defended the meeting, explaining that such engagements are crucial for discussing counter-terrorism efforts and fostering partnerships. President Herzog was briefed by ASIO’s counter-terrorism team on their work following the Bondi massacre, where 15 people lost their lives. While Treasurer Jim Chalmers claimed he was unaware of the meeting, he expressed trust in Australia’s intelligence agencies. But Senator Pocock wasn’t convinced. He described the briefing as ‘unusual,’ pointing out that it seemed to contradict the stated purpose of Herzog’s visit, which was to offer comfort and support to Australia’s Jewish community.
Why the Secrecy?
‘It’s unusual for a head of state to be meeting with ASIO,’ Senator Pocock noted. ‘If this is happening, it should be on the president’s itinerary.’ He drew a parallel, asking how Australians would feel if their governor-general were granted access to a foreign domestic intelligence agency. The senator’s office even received community tip-offs about the meeting, which led to the Senate questioning. Initially, ASIO was so concerned about the leak that they warned Pocock’s staff their phones might be confiscated—though it turns out the tip-off was more about Canberra’s small-town gossip than an internal breach.
The Controversy Deepens
Herzog’s visit was already mired in controversy, with protests erupting in every city he visited. In Sydney, demonstrations turned violent, with police using pepper spray and disrupting Muslim men who were praying. Adding fuel to the fire, Herzog has faced international criticism for his comments after the October 7 Hamas attacks and for signing an artillery shell destined for Gaza—an act he later admitted was ‘an error’ and ‘lacking taste.’
The Government’s Response—or Lack Thereof
The Australian government’s reluctance to confirm the meeting has only fueled suspicion. Senator Pocock called out what he sees as an ‘addiction to secrecy,’ arguing that this lack of transparency breeds conspiracy theories. ‘What’s the security risk in telling us he met with ASIO?’ he asked. ‘I don’t buy it.’
The Bigger Picture
While the government insists the meeting was strictly about counter-terrorism cooperation post-Bondi, questions remain. Why was this meeting kept secret? What does it mean for Australia’s intelligence partnerships, especially with a country outside the Five Eyes alliance? And does this set a precedent for future engagements with foreign leaders?
Your Turn to Weigh In
Is the government’s secrecy justified, or is this a case of unnecessary opacity? Should meetings like these be made public, or are there valid reasons to keep them under wraps? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
