Anti-Jewish incidents soared by 600% following Hanukkah massacre in Sydney

Anti-Jewish incidents in Australia have soared by a whopping 600% following the recent shooting of 15 Jews celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Sydney, according to new data released on Thursday.

The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism issued a report that covers various antisemitic incidents such as online content, verbal attacks and damage to Jewish-owned property. The report revealed that, prior to the Bondi Beach attack on Dec. 14, there were approximately 3,000 antisemitic online posts per day in Australia. The day after the attack, the number of antisemitic posts soared to 17,100 or 420%. On Dec. 15, there were 21,500 anti-Jewish posts, representing a 600% increase.

The report gathered data based on a monitoring system that identified clear anti-Jewish rhetoric, including Holocaust denial and slurs like “Jewboy.” The report noted that even after some of the content was removed, the overall number of anti-Jewish posts remained five times higher than before Dec. 14, 2025.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli blasted the Australian government for not properly addressing the rise of antisemitism in Australia.

"The Australian government is not doing enough to uproot the phenomenon at its source," Chikli stated. The minister assessed that "online incitement is part of a dangerous web of hatred that increases the threat to the Jewish community. This is a time for real and determined action."

Australia used to be known until recently as a tolerant society where its Jewish minority was thriving and felt safe. However, the Hamas October 7 massacre in 2023 led to a massive increase in antisemitism in Australia. The number of anti-Jewish incidents increased by 400% between October 2023 and September 2024, according to a report compiled by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ).

“If anything, the raw numbers understate the seriousness of the surge in antisemitism that has occurred. There have been many new forms and expressions of anti-Jewish racism that would once have been considered alien to Australia, but which have become commonplace,” ECAJ Research Director Julie Nathan assessed in 2024.

The situation in Australia has only escalated in 2025, culminating in the recent Bondi Beach massacre. In addition, on Thursday, a car belonging to a rabbi in Melbourne with the sign “Happy Hanukkah” was set on fire.

“The Jewish community in Australia is mourning after the terror attack in Bondi. The firebombing of a car in Melbourne is another horrific act suspected to be antisemitic,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

However, a growing number of Jewish Australians hold the Albanese government responsible for failing to stop the dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents in the country. Diplomatic relations between Australia and Israel have deteriorated due to the Albanese government’s criticism of Israel's military operations against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza.

Earlier this week, Albanese invited Israeli President Isaac Herzog to visit Australia. Both leaders exchanged mutual condolences concerning the Bondi Beach massacre. During their conversation, Herzog stressed "the importance of taking all legal measures to combat the unprecedented rise in antisemitism, extremism, and jihadist terror."