Israeli Pres Herzog in Australia: Bondi Beach attack reflects emboldened antisemitism since Oct 7

Israeli President Herzog linked the Bondi Beach terror attack that claimed 15 lives last Hanukkah to a global pattern of what he called “emboldened” antisemitism since Oct. 7. During his solidarity visit to Australia, Herzog called leaders to action, warning that such atrocities pose a threat beyond the communities directly targeted.

Speaking at a Jewish community memorial event on Monday in Sydney, Herzog noted that while antisemitism long predates the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack, it has intensified since.

“It began long before Oct. 7, generations before even the State of Israel was born,” he said. “Yet somehow, the Oct. 7 massacre, the greatest mass murder of Jews since the Shoah, emboldened closeted antisemites, here in Australia and around the world.”

Herzog’s remarks followed an earlier visit to Bondi Beach, where he attended a memorial ceremony at the site of the attack. “This is how terror operates all around the world, and, sadly, Israel has faced this deadly threat of terror for many decades,” he said, expressing solidarity with the victims. “We are one big family, and when one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal, lay Jerusalem stones in memory of the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack. (Photo: Ma'ayan Toaf/GPO)

At the same time, Herzog said that while the attackers directly targeted Australian Jews, their actions threatened communities across Australia and the world. “This was also an attack on all Australians,” he said, describing terrorism as undermining to democratic values. Ahead of Herzog’s visit, police in Australia charged a 19-year-old over online threats to kill the Israeli president.

“Antisemitism here in Australia is not a Jewish problem – it is an Australian problem and a global problem. Over the generations, one thing has become clear: hatred that starts with the Jews, never ends with the Jews,” he emphasized.

On this note, Herzog called on leaders to confront antisemitism directly. “Leaders across all sectors of society must speak out clearly and consistently against antisemitism,” he said. “Silence in the face of hatred is complicity.”

Herzog laid two stones from Jerusalem at Bondi Beach in memory of the victims, as custom in Jewish tradition. He also said the stones symbolized “the bonds between good people of all faiths and nations,” and their ability to overcome evil together.