Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar has publicly criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s response to the Bondi Beach shooting, saying the statement failed to explicitly acknowledge Jews, antisemitism or terror, as international condemnation of the attack continued to grow.
“I’m appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia,” the Israeli foreign minister said, describing the violence as the outcome of what he called “the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years”.
“These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of ‘Globalise the Intifada’ that were realized today,” he said. He added that “the Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses”.
The foreign minister reshared the Australian Prime Minister’s public statement on social media, adding a pointed remark: “Words you will not find in the PM statement: Jews. Antisemitism. Terror.”
Prime Minister Albanese earlier said, “The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing,” confirming police and emergency responders were on the ground and urging people in the area to follow advice from New South Wales Police. His statement did not reference the religious context of the gathering or characterise the attack.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott also issued a strong response, describing the shooting as “an absolute atrocity” and “a horror for the victims and a massive escalation of the hatred directed at Australia’s Jewish community”.
“There should be no place in Australia for the kind of evil we’ve seen this evening,” Abbott said. He also acknowledged the actions of a civilian during the chaos, adding, “Thank God one bystander heroically intervened showing the good side of our country. I am praying for all those affected at this time.”
International reaction has continued to build. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Australia and New Zealand were “closer than friends, we’re family”, adding, “I am shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi, a place that Kiwis visit every day.” He said the thoughts of all New Zealanders were with those affected.
As police investigations continue and an exclusion zone remains in place around Bondi Beach, the growing chorus of international and domestic voices has placed renewed focus on how political leaders describe violence connected to antisemitism and on broader concerns about community safety in Australia.
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