Families of victims from the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach earlier this month have called for a royal commission into rising anti-Semitism in Australia.

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The Attack

On December 14, 2025, two gunmen, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, opened fire at a Jewish celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15 people, most of them Jewish. Authorities said the suspects were inspired by ISIL (ISIS).

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Families’ Call for Action

In an open letter, families of 11 victims urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to launch a national inquiry into the rapid rise of anti-Jewish sentiment, arguing that previous warning signs were ignored.

“As proud Australians and proud Jews, we have endured more than two and a half years of relentless attacks. Our children feel unsafe at school and university. Our homes, workplaces, sporting fields, and public spaces no longer feel secure,” the families wrote.

They criticized the government’s response, including proposals to tighten gun laws and increase penalties for hate speech, as insufficient.

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Government Response

Albanese announced an independent review led by former intelligence chief Dennis Richardson, examining:

• What authorities knew about the suspects prior to the attack.
• Information sharing between federal and state agencies.

Albanese emphasized the need for unity and swift action, avoiding a public inquiry that could take years and amplify extremist voices.

“Just over two weeks ago, anti-Semitic terrorists tried to tear our country apart… We need to respond with unity and urgency rather than division and delay,” he said.

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Rising Anti-Semitism and Extremism

Australia has seen a rise in anti-Jewish, anti-Islam, and anti-immigration sentiment, including:

• 1,654 anti-Jewish incidents documented nationwide between October 2024 and September 2025.
• 309 in-person Islamophobic incidents and 366 online incidents recorded between January 2023 and November 2024.
• Large right-wing rallies, including the “March for Australia,” promoting anti-migration messages.

Some Jewish groups have also criticized the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, noting it can conflate legitimate criticism of Israel with anti-Jewish hatred.

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International Reaction

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly criticized the Albanese government, linking the attack to Australia’s recent recognition of Palestinian statehood and claiming the government failed to protect the Jewish community.

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Key Takeaways

• Families of Bondi victims demand a royal commission into anti-Semitism in Australia.
• The attack killed 15 people, most of them Jewish, allegedly inspired by ISIL.
• Prime Minister Albanese has initiated an independent review, not a public inquiry.
• Anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents, as well as right-wing extremism, are rising across Australia.
• Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly condemned the government’s response.