Australian Prime Minister pushes back on Netanyahu’s claim that recognizing Palestine as a state helped trigger the Bondi beach attack
Australia’s prime minister has rejected accusations from Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, that Canberra’s earlier recognition of a Palestinian state contributed to Sunday’s deadly antisemitic attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney. In interviews with national broadcasters, Anthony Albanese was asked whether he accepts any link between recognition of a Palestinian state and the massacre. He responded clearly: no. He noted that, worldwide, a two-state solution remains the broadly supported path to resolving Middle East tensions.
Fifteen people died and dozens were injured when two local men opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration. Both assailants were shot by police, with one dying at the scene.
Albanese did not directly address Netanyahu’s charge that he had substituted weakness for strength and appeasement for appeasement in the fight against antisemitism. Instead, he called for national unity and support for the Jewish community during a particularly difficult period, saying Australians overwhelmingly stand with Jewish Australians.
Tensions between Australia and Israel have been running high since August, when Israel revoked visas for Australian diplomats in the occupied Palestinian territories. Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, criticized that move as an unjustified reaction to Australia’s recognition of Palestine.
Australia’s government said the Palestinian recognition was part of a coordinated international effort to reinvigorate momentum for a two-state solution, push for a ceasefire in Gaza, and secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 raid. Netanyahu called Australia’s move an absurdity and a reward for terrorism.
In response to Sunday’s attack, Netanyahu, who leads Israel’s most right-leaning government in its history and faces an upcoming election, accused Albanese of failing to curb antisemitism in Australia. Albanese, speaking at a press briefing, outlined actions his government has already taken—criminalizing hate speech and incitement to violence, banning Nazi salutes, and plans to extend security funding for Jewish communities. He also highlighted Australia’s strict gun-control laws and a push for tougher firearm regulations.
A government-appointed envoy, Jillian Segal, who has been addressing spates of graffiti and arson targeting synagogues and Jewish businesses, said the attack appeared to be a warning sign that had been looming. She told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the warning signs had been evident.
Jewish community leaders called for stronger action, noting a troubling rise in antisemitism both in Australia and globally. Levi Wolff, lead rabbi at Sydney’s Central Synagogue, described the current atmosphere as alarmingly unchecked antisemitism. The opposition Liberal Party leader argued that Labor’s approach had allowed antisemitism to fester and urged immediate changes, including full implementation of Segal’s recommendations, with particular emphasis on universities.
Labor has previously condemned antisemitism as an “evil scourge” and pledged roughly A$25 million to bolster security for Jewish community sites, in addition to advocating stronger hate-crime laws and enhanced screening of visa applicants for antisemitic beliefs.
Segal’s call for action also emphasized the need to scrutinize universities, cultural organizations, and media outlets more closely, and to address antisemitism on campuses. Australia’s Jewish population numbers around 117,000 people, representing about 0.46% of the nation’s roughly 25 million people, with most residing in Sydney and Melbourne.
The government has shown sensitivity to Australia’s multicultural fabric, including weighty ties to migrant communities from the region. Since 2023, police have allowed weekly protests against Israel’s war in Gaza. Earlier this year, Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador after intelligence agencies linked at least two antisemitic arson attacks to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
(Reuters contributed reporting)
