For generations, Australian Jews have found refuge in the country, seeking safety from turmoil and persecution experienced elsewhere. This sense of security was shattered on Sunday with the deadliest antisemitic attack in Australia’s history: a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.
A Shift in Security
The attack, which occurred just two days after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, represents a dramatic shift for the Australian Jewish community. Lynda Ben-Menashe, president of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, and a fifth-generation Australian on her mother’s side, described growing up in a country where Jews were “deeply integrated into the fabric of building society.” However, that feeling of integration has been eroding.
Following the Oct. 7 attacks, a pro-Palestinian protest at the Sydney Opera House included anti-Israel slogans and obscenities directed at Jewish people. Community members felt betrayed when no arrests were made, signaling, they say, a fundamental change in the country’s response to antisemitism. Ms. Ben-Menashe stated, “It was a turning point, and this is a turning point again. Australians thought we Jews were exaggerating… and, now, I reckon they get that we were not.”
Escalation of Attacks
The period since Oct. 7 has seen an unprecedented wave of antisemitic incidents across Australia, including the torching of synagogues, attacks on Jewish-owned businesses and schools, and the doxxing of Jewish artists. Anti-Israel graffiti, including the phrase “Glory to Hamas,” has also appeared. Community leaders have appealed to the government for stronger action.
The Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach was secured by only two police officers. The attack resulted in the deaths of a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl, Matilda Poltavchenko, whose family had fled war in Ukraine seeking safety in Australia. Her mother, Valentyna Poltavchenko, described the loss as “a nightmare.”
Looking Ahead
As the surviving gunman faces murder charges and Australia considers more restrictive gun laws, the Jewish community is grappling with its future. Jillian Segal, a special envoy to combat antisemitism, believes government calls for unity are insufficient and that Australia must address the “underlying cause” of the hatred. She has called for action in schools, immigration policies, and the arts.
While acknowledging a legacy of racism in Australia, community members express disappointment that a nation priding itself on multiculturalism is now witnessing a rise in antisemitism from both the far-right and some elements of the progressive left. The incident involving Jenny Leong, an Australian lawmaker, who used the term “tentacles” in reference to Jewish and Zionist lobbying groups, highlights this concern.
Despite the tragedy, there are glimmers of hope. Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian, tackled and disarmed one of the shooters, and has received widespread support, with over $1 million raised for his recovery. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Mr. Ahmed as “an example of the strength of humanity.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the recent increase in antisemitism in Australia?
The article states that the increase in antisemitic attacks began following Hamas’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and was exacerbated by a perceived lack of consequences for anti-Israel protests and rhetoric.
How did the Bondi Beach shooting impact the Jewish community?
The shooting has shattered the sense of security held by the Australian Jewish community, leading to feelings of anger, betrayal, and a sense that a “tragedy foretold” had come to pass.
What actions are being called for in response to the attack?
Leaders are calling for stronger government action to combat antisemitism, including addressing the issue in schools, immigration policies, and the arts, as well as a broader societal embrace of the Jewish community.
What role do you think individual acts of courage, like that of Ahmed al-Ahmed, play in addressing broader societal issues of hate and prejudice?
