A deadly shooting occurred during a Hanukkah celebration at Australia's Bondi Beach, an event that has taken place amid a recorded increase in antisemitic incidents within the country. This rise has been observed since the Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
Documented Rise in Antisemitic Incidents
Data from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry indicates over 3,700 anti-Jewish incidents occurred in Australia during the two years following the Hamas attack. This rate represents a five-fold increase compared to the preceding decade. Incidents documented include anti-Israel graffiti and an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne.
Similar increases in antisemitic attacks have been observed in other countries, though Australia's rise has been particularly sharp. Jewish leaders globally convened in Sydney earlier in the month to address these mounting concerns. Marina Rosenberg, a senior vice president for international affairs at the Anti-Defamation League, commented that the situation in Australia should serve as a global alert regarding Jewish safety and broader democratic stability.
Government Responses and Accusations
The Australian government previously attributed arson attacks on a Melbourne synagogue and a Sydney kosher food company last year to Iranian involvement.
The Bondi Beach Incident
On Sunday, two gunmen, identified by authorities as a father and son, initiated a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration located at Sydney's Bondi Beach. This event resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals and injuries to dozens more.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese classified the incident as an act of antisemitic terrorism, noting its occurrence on the first day of Hanukkah. In response to the attack, several major cities globally enhanced security measures for their respective Hanukkah events.
Australia's Jewish population is approximately 117,000, constituting less than 0.5% of the national populace. Prime Minister Albanese pledged a national response characterized by unity following the Bondi Beach attack.
Policy and International Relations
In 2024, Australia established a special envoy dedicated to combating antisemitism, who endorsed a wide-ranging campaign. This initiative, which includes efforts on college campuses and within media, has drawn some criticism regarding the potential for conflating antisemitism with criticism of Israel's conduct in the Gaza conflict. The University of New South Wales' Australian Human Rights Institute acknowledged the rise in antisemitic incidents but cautioned against assuming all criticism of Israel stems from anti-Jewish sentiment.
In September, Australia joined Canada and the United Kingdom in formally recognizing the state of Palestine, a move intended to foster momentum for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Following the Bondi Beach shooting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Australia's recognition of a Palestinian state contributed to