Story perspectives

Sydney Welcomes New Year with Security and Solidarity

1/2/2026

Center

Sydney Celebrates Resilience

Sydney welcomed the New Year with heightened security and a peace message after the Bondi Beach attack that killed 15 people.
Thousands held a minute of silence at 11 p.m. for the December 14 Hanukkah victims.
The Harbour Bridge lights a menorah projection to show solidarity with Jewish community.
Premier Chris Minns urged defiance against terrorism, while calls for a national inquiry into rising antisemitism persist despite the government's preference for an internal review.

Right

Business Leaders Demand Inquiry

Business leaders across Australia are calling for a federal royal commission into antisemitism and the Bondi Beach terror attack.
More than 130 signatories from banking, education, and media have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to back the inquiry.
Nine business groups, including the Australian Banking Association and Master Builders Australia, have expressed support, saying the December 14 attack could foster division in communities and disrupt workplace cohesion.

History

Historical Context

The 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, which claimed 51 lives, underscored a global surge in antisemitism and Islamophobia. Following these events, the Anti-Defamation League noted a 12% rise in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. By December 2025, the Bondi Beach attack during a Hanukkah celebration further highlighted these tensions, prompting Australian leaders to call for a national inquiry into rising antisemitism and community division.

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Sydney Celebrates Resilience

Sydney welcomed the New Year with heightened security and a peace message after the Bondi Beach attack that killed 15 people.
Thousands held a minute of silence at 11 p.m. for the December 14 Hanukkah victims.
The Harbour Bridge lights a menorah projection to show solidarity with Jewish community.
Premier Chris Minns urged defiance against terrorism, while calls for a national inquiry into rising antisemitism persist despite the government's preference for an internal review.

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