A violent incident unfolded on Bondi Beach, Sydney, where gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration attended by over 1,000 people. The attack, allegedly carried out by a father and son duo from Pakistan, raised critical questions about police preparedness in the face of rising antisemitic threats in Australia. Witnesses reported that the gunmen fired rifles into the crowd for more than five minutes before being subdued by civilians, highlighting a concerning lapse in law enforcement response.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese characterized the shooting as “a targeted attack on Jewish Australians,” reinforcing the security risks faced by the Jewish community. Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, echoed these sentiments, noting that the attack was specifically designed to target Sydney’s Jewish population. This incident follows a troubling trend of increased antisemitic attacks in the country, exacerbated since the conflict between Hamas and Israel escalated on October 7, 2023.
Eyewitness accounts describe how the assailants, armed with six legally purchased firearms and an improvised explosive device in their vehicle, took their time to aim and shoot from a bridge adjacent to the beach. A video captured a local man, identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, intervening heroically by wrestling one of the shooters to the ground, though he sustained two gunshot wounds in the process.
Experts are questioning the effectiveness of police response during the attack. Oded Ailam, a former Israeli intelligence officer, remarked, “The first initial reaction wasn’t even by police, it was by civilians, which raised a lot of questions about the role of police.” He emphasized that the attack appeared premeditated and part of a broader pattern of violence linked to antisemitism, suggesting the possibility of involvement from groups such as Iran and Hezbollah.
The Australian government has previously identified Iranian influence in a series of antisemitic incidents, including arson attacks on synagogues and kosher food establishments. Following these incidents, Australia expelled several Iranian diplomats, citing intelligence reports that indicated Iranian involvement in the attacks. In response to the current situation, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei condemned the attack, calling it “unlawful and criminal” while distancing Iran from any responsibility.
Data from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry reveals that antisemitic incidents have surged since the conflict escalation in October 2023. Reports indicate that these incidents are now five times the average annual number observed before that date, marking Australia as having the largest increase in antisemitism among the J7 countries, which include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Argentina, and Australia.
The J7 Task Force Against Antisemitism had convened in Sydney just days before the attack to discuss escalating security threats to Jewish communities. Oren Segal, senior vice president of counter-extremism and intelligence at the Anti-Defamation League, expressed concern over the rising violence, stating, “This attack is not only the latest in a disturbing series of antisemitic incidents in Australia but also around the globe, including in the United States.”
In the wake of this attack, law enforcement agencies across Australia are ramping up security measures, particularly around events celebrating Hanukkah. Authorities are under pressure to reassess their readiness to protect vulnerable communities as they confront a rising tide of hate-driven violence.
