Israeli President Isaac Herzog has been in Australia attending memorial events for the victims of the December 2025 terror attack at Bondi Beach, and he has used these ceremonies to strongly condemn antisemitism.
What Happened at Bondi
The Bondi Beach attack in mid‑December 2025 targeted a Chanukah‑related Jewish event, killing around 15–16 people and injuring many others. Authorities and Jewish community leaders have described it as an antisemitic terror attack aimed both at Jews and at core Australian democratic values.
Memorial Events in Australia
President Herzog visited the memorial site at Bondi Pavilion and local synagogues, laying wreaths and meeting bereaved families and survivors. He attended a major memorial ceremony at a Chabad of Bondi synagogue and a large remembrance event in Sydney, joined by Australian leaders.
President’s Condemnation of Antisemitism
Herzog stated that the Bondi attack was driven by “blind hatred” of Jews and of Australian values, insisting such antisemitism has “no place” in Australia or anywhere else. He has described the global rise in antisemitism as a “global emergency” and called for decisive action to combat it.
Role of Australian Leaders
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Herzog at the Bondi memorial, read the names of the victims, and met families privately. He has condemned the Bondi attack, supported new measures against hate speech and antisemitism, and urged that conflict over Israel–Palestine not be imported into Australia’s streets.
Protests and Community Tensions
Herzog’s visit has drawn large pro‑Palestinian demonstrations in Sydney, some of which were dispersed by police using tear gas and pepper spray when they turned violent. At the same time, parts of Australia’s Jewish community have criticized the government for not responding firmly enough to rising antisemitism since the Bondi attack and the ongoing war in Gaza.
Main Message of the Memorial
Across the memorial events, Herzog emphasized solidarity between Israel and Australia, saying that when one Jew is harmed, Jews everywhere feel the pain, and urging “renewed Jewish pride” rather than fear. He framed the response to the Bondi attack as a test of shared values, calling for unity among “all people of moral conscience” against antisemitic violence.
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