After the Deadly Attack at Bondi Beach, Israel Warns: Sydney Won't Be the Last Target
Israeli intelligence says the Bondi shooting attack reflects a global rise in antisemitic violence, fueled by jihadist networks like ISIS, Al-Qaida and Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Canberra expelled Tehran's ambassador, yet Jerusalem warns many governments still wait until protests turn deadly
Amos Harel, Haaretz
12:47 AM • December 15 2025 IST
The murderous terror attack on the beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday was preceded by numerous intelligence warnings from Israel to the Australian government. Since the October 7 massacre on the Gaza border communities and the war between Israel and Hamas, there has been a sharp rise in the number of violent antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents throughout Australia.
The government may have taken various security and precautionary measures, but the impression in Israel was that these actions were limited, also due to a desire to avoid a confrontation with the country's large Muslim population. Sunday's massacre, which targeted a large Chabad gathering on Sydney's Bondi Beach to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, was carried out by at least two gunmen, armed with assault weapons.
The Sydney police reported that at least 15 were killed and dozens were wounded in the shooting. Local media reported that the two terrorists were a Lebanese citizen and a Pakistani citizen. One of the shooters was killed and the other was wounded. The police are investigating whether a third person was involved in the shooting.
Eyewitnesses said the police response was slow and only some of the officers attempted to attack the terrorists, and the exchange of fire lasted for a long time. In a video of the incident, a civilian attacks one of the terrorists from behind and grabs his weapon. (Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the "Jewish hero" who overpowered the terrorist, but later it was revealed the man's name was Ahmed al-Ahmed.)
Some Israeli cabinet ministers cast the responsibility for the terror attack on the Australian government and claimed that it had failed to curb the antisemitic violence in the country. These claims have a certain logic to them, but one can't help but wonder about the ease with which the Israeli government accuses other countries of responsibility for terrorism while denying any responsibility for the October 7 massacre for two years, three months and counting.
On Sunday, the coalition was busy vigorously promoting a bill whose aim is to prevent the establishment of an official state commission of inquiry into October 7.
Australian Jews started to feel the rise in antisemitic incidents shortly after the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip. Hateful graffiti was sprayed on the walls of businesses, public buildings and Jewish homes. Large numbers of violent protests featuring blatant antisemitic slogans filled the streets, and Jews suffered from harassment and abuse on campuses and in the streets.
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Update: ISIS flags found in attackers' vehicle.
ISIS flags reportedly found in Sydney attacker's vehicle
Very nearly the same time as attack on US soldiers in Syria. ISIS is known to be a mercenary force in the employ of governments used in recent wars, such as the militias supported by Israel in southern Syria and in Gaza or the group supported by Ukraine that staged the attack on the Crocus Hall in Moscow. |
