Israeli embassies, Jewish communities around the world raise alarm levels after Bondi Beach massacre

In the aftermath of the massacre at a Hanukkah ceremony at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Israeli embassies and Jewish communities around the world have raised their alarm levels, fearing copycat attacks during the remaining days of the holiday.

Israeli embassies and consulates were already at heightened security levels that haven’t been lowered since the start of the war on Oct. 7, 2023, as well as because of the Jewish holiday, when the danger of Islamist terror has historically been greater than usual.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry reportedly ordered its missions around the world to lower their public profile, including by refraining from holding public, open-air candlelighting events.

On Tuesday, the Mossad intelligence service reportedly asked several countries around the world, particularly in Europe, to tighten security around Hanukkah events to prevent copycat attacks, Israeli media reported.

While several high-profile events were canceled in the aftermath of the Sydney attack, such as in Moscow, other cities, including Berlin, conducted planned events under heavy security.

Just hours after the attack in Australia, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police at Museum Square in Amsterdam, near a Hanukkah event attended by Israel Defense Forces' chief cantor, Shai Abramson.

Israeli diplomats in some countries were even instructed not to attend synagogues or Jewish community offices, though this was not a general directive from Israel; in other countries, the decision was left to each embassy’s security officer.

The IDF conducted a situational assessment after the Sydney attack, with the Operations Directorate instructing military attaches and representatives abroad to sharpen security procedures and exercise more caution than usual. However, there were no concrete threats identified and no additional measures taken for now.

While Israeli missions receive security and intelligence warnings from Israel, it has less authority to issue instructions to Jewish communities, who often hire their own security.

However, this is subject to limitations in some countries, where the Jewish community is dependent on local law enforcement for security.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli embassies and diplomats have been subjected to continual threats and attempted attacks from Islamist terrorists, far-left extremists and state actors, such as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

According to estimates from Australia’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), the Sydney shooters had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) group and two ISIS flags were reportedly found in the terrorists’ car at Bondi Beach.

However, the UK's Daily Telegraph reported that Israeli intelligence officials believe the massacre was carried out by a foreign terror cell supported by Iran.

According to the report, the planning and execution of the attack points to characteristics associated with a Hezbollah unit – the organization’s external operations arm.

Responding to a statement of condolence by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, which avoided mentioning the Jewish identity of the targets of the attack, Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oren Marmorstein wrote on 𝕏: “The world record in deception belongs to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman. Iran has carried out deadly terrorist attacks against Israelis and Jews in the past and constantly seeks to murder Israelis and Jews around the world.”