He said the visit was also an opportunity to strengthen ties between Israel and Australia, describing both as democracies that share common values and face global threats together

Herzog is scheduled to visit Melbourne and the national capital, Canberra, before returning to Israel on Thursday

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (left) and his wife Michal (centre) at the event

Earlier today, at the rain-swept Bondi Pavilion, near the site of the massacre, Herzog laid a wreath and two stones brought from Jerusalem. The pavilion became an impromptu memorial in the days following the tragedy, with thousands of bouquets and messages left by mourners

The visit to Bondi came within hours of Herzog arriving in Sydney with his wife, Michal Herzog, under tight security, including police snipers stationed on nearby rooftops