<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/israel" rel="" target="" title="Israeli "><span>Israeli</span></a><span>President Isaac Herzog has touched down in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/melbourne" rel="" target="" title="Melbourne"><span>Melbourne</span></a><span> under heavy police guard for the last day of his </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="" title="Australian"><span>Australian</span></a><span> tour.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The president flew into Tullamarine Airport on a RAAF jet this morning ahead of a number of official engagements.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Escorted by a police convoy, Herzog arrived at Government House just before midday where he met with Victoria's Governor Margaret Gardner, as well as Premier Jacinta Allan.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>.</span><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/angus-taylor-quits-sussan-ley-leadership-challenge-countdown-begins/ebf401ed-3a38-49b4-9cb3-38af38c8b8b7" target="_blank"><strong><span>Liberal leadership spill confirmed ahead of partyroom meeting where Angus Taylor will challenge Sussan Ley</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police quickly shut down a demonstration by a small group of protesters outside the grounds of Government House.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Later this afternoon, he is expected to meet with mourners and victims of the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/bondi-shooting" rel="" target="" title="Bondi Terror Attack "><span>Bondi Terror Attack</span></a><span> at a Jewish community event in Southbank.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The dignitary's exact movements while in Australia have been shrouded in secrecy due to safety concerns, which were today escalated after offensive graffiti was discovered at a university campus.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/israeli-president-isaac-herzog-melbourne-visit-protest/70afde34-5048-4773-9e86-d15dd7d41d80" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The words "Death To Herzog + Israel + Oz" were scrawled across the University of Melbourne's Parkville Campus in black spray paint alongside an inverted triangle - a symbol commonly used by pro-Palestine protesters and Hamas militia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/james-van-der-beek-actor-dies-age-48/0e69f5eb-5943-4fc1-86d3-2f7eed253726" target="_blank"><strong><span>Actor James Van Der Beek dies aged 48</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's absolutely contemptible because we all want peace to come and causing hurt and grief and violence like we've seen in Sydney that does not bring peace," Allan said of the graffiti.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victoria Police will be out in force across the course of the day, with specialist forces brought in to help maintain safety and avoid a repeat of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-protest-pro-palestine-police-response/cdfcde98-83ed-4061-a729-85539e52e684" rel="" target="" title="violent scenes in Sydney on Monday"><span>violent scenes in Sydney on Monday</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Yesterday, the Supreme Court granted police special powers to search individuals and vehicles in the vicinity of the president and his convoy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Victoria Police has been granted those powers that afford us, in specified areas, to seek the identities of individuals passing through that location, to search individuals, to search vehicles, and to cordon-off a particular area," Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Bob Hill said yesterday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's specific to areas he will visit and it will not directly relate to or impact upon the lawful protest activity that may occur here in Melbourne tomorrow evening."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/fbi-search-highways-to-find-missing-nancy-guthrie/886e3449-4d42-4343-b527-a42df333ce15" target="_blank"><strong><span>FBI searches highways in Nancy Guthrie search as man detained in case released</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thousands of demonstrators are expected to take to the streets this evening in a major protest against Herzog's "red carpet" tour.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Tonight we'll be protesting at Flinders Street Station at 5pm after four days of a war criminal touring our country, complete with a literal red carpet," Students for Palestine's Jasmine Duff said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"How dare our politicians parade around this despicable war criminal who has presided over years of bombing hospitals and schools, massacring children, and wiping out entire family lines."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Herzog strongly denies those claims.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 2.5-hour rally is expected to kick off from the steps of Flinders Street Station at 5pm, before protesters march up Swanston Street to Parliament House. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Monday's protest in Melbourne was largely peaceful and the majority of the crowd was well behaved. At this time, we are expecting Thursday's protests to be the same," Hill said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We respect the right of individuals to protest but only when it's done lawfully and peacefully.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Again, our number one aim is to ensure the safety of all involved and we will be working with all parties to make sure that's the case."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>