This week, Australia stands at a crossroads. The consequences of these recent acts have reverberated throughout the Jewish community, forcing many to grapple with painful and complicated questions of ethnicity, national identity, belonging, and safety. Under increasing pressure to shift its foreign policy, Australia faced calls to break with the United States and join allies like Britain, France, and Canada in recognizing a Palestinian state. The violent massacre unleashed upon our community by the recent mass shooting in Bondi Beach, Sydney has deeply hurt. Now, they are in the midst of mourning and dealing with ugly currents of hate and extremism.
The Jewish community that has persisted, mostly living in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, has been rattled down to its very root. The Sydney Opera House glows blue and white, the colors of the Israeli flag. This magnificent exhibit is a powerful testament of solidarity with the Jewish community in these tragic, troubled times. Local memorialisation Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid respects to the victims of anti-LGBTQ+ violence by laying flowers at Bondi Pavilion. This venue choice is especially significant for many Jewish Australians.
The Impact of Violence on Community
The recent mass shooting at Bondi Beach has led to 59 charges against the alleged perpetrator, Naveed. These charges range from 15 counts of first-degree murder to 40 counts of first-degree attempted murder. Rabbi Yossi Friedman speaking at a memorial at Bondi Beach following the loss of life in Israel. There, he laid flowers and publicly honored the names of those lost. The memorial provided an opportunity to reflect on the vulnerability felt within the Jewish community.
Bondi Beach, once the home and safe-haven for Australia’s small Jewish population has since 1933 offered sanctuary to families escaping hate. The relentless attack has achieved the ignoble task of spreading more than fear, having stirred up fierce communal support. Thousands paddled and swam off Bondi’s coast, showing the world our resilience, solidarity and togetherness during our time of sadness.
“That is what happens when hate goes unchecked,” – Rabbi Yossi Friedman
In reaction to this violence, Australian authorities are now contemplating more severe restrictions on public demonstrations of dissent in the wake of terror attacks. We want to avoid escalation and intimidation that would further increase the potential for violence.
A Community United Against Hate
In an attempt to promote their collective healing and resilience, acts of symbolism have surfaced across the Jewish community. This year, the Hanukkah menorah illuminated the Sydney Opera House’s iconic sails. It became a beacon of hope in a world filled with despair. Key buildings across Australia were illuminated in green and gold, reflecting national pride and solidarity during a time of crisis.
Voices like Carole’s in the community reflect a hope to just move on and have everyone peacefully coexist. She pleaded, “We just want to live in peace.” She concluded by saying they just want to work hard, pay their taxes and love their partner like all other Australians. Her comments highlight the personal and emotional pain felt by many in the Jewish community who are proud to be Australians.
“Jewish people always feel they are the country first,” – Carole
Equally understandable, though, is the desire to deny the reality of a new, escalating anti-Semitism. Matt Quinn, founder of Exit Australia—a nonprofit focused on deradicalization—commented on the pervasive blame directed toward Jews: “They just blame the Jews for every little problem they see in their life.” His nonprofit, Beyond Conflict, is a global leader in the fight against hate and promoting dialogue between radicalized groups.
A Call for Action and Unity
Now, as Australia continues through this tumultuous time, there is an increasing demand for community action to combat hate. It was out of this reality that Rabbi Friedman has become a regular and clear voice calling for the community to come together. He urged attendees at a recent gathering: “We’re going to build a movement, a movement of light.”
His vision is of a shared resilience, of many different communities united in order to face down the forces of hate and bigotry. And we’re going to demonstrate to everyone, including our command level, that we are in lock step and in this fight against hate together,” he announced.
The recent tragedy, the first mass shooting in 22 years, has sparked debates again over Australia’s gun laws. New South Wales is now preparing to roll out some of the toughest rules in the nation. These measures are designed to restrict people’s access to firearms and reduce their prevalence. They are a manifestation of the new societal demand for safety as societal tensions escalate.
