A wave of unrest swept through Sydney as protests erupted during Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia, igniting clashes between demonstrators and police. The demonstrations were fueled by opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza and Herzog’s presence, creating a volatile atmosphere in the heart of the city.
Authorities moved to disperse thousands of protesters gathered near Sydney’s Town Hall on Monday evening, leading to a dramatic escalation of tensions. Twenty-seven arrests were made, including ten individuals accused of assaulting police officers, as the situation spiraled into violence.
Herzog’s visit was intended as a gesture of solidarity with the Australian Jewish community, particularly in the wake of the devastating Hanukkah event in Bondi Beach. Fifteen lives were lost in the December terror attack, leaving a community reeling and seeking solace.
During his trip, Herzog traveled to Bondi, offering his condolences to bereaved families and participating in memorial events. He emphasized the importance of Jewish pride and resilience in the face of terror, stating that the response to such acts must be a renewed commitment to life and hope.
The President also addressed the alarming rise of antisemitism globally, characterizing it as a pressing emergency. He defended Israel’s actions in Gaza amidst the backdrop of the ongoing protests, asserting the nation’s right to defend itself.
Restrictions were placed on protest routes in an attempt to manage the demonstrations, but tensions continued to escalate. Police deployed pepper spray in efforts to disperse the crowds, while protesters accused authorities of using excessive force.
David Adler, former president of the Australian Jewish Association, condemned the violence as a “disgraceful display,” highlighting the disregard for Australia’s legal system. He noted that a court-ordered exclusion zone was ignored by “radical activists,” leaving police with a difficult and dangerous situation.
Adler expressed a sense of relief within the Jewish community at seeing a stronger response from New South Wales police. He pointed to a perceived lack of enforcement regarding incitement and antisemitism over the past two and a half years, culminating in the tragic Bondi Beach massacre.
Member of Parliament Andrew Wallace affirmed the right to peaceful and lawful protest, but stressed that the events in Sydney fell far short of those standards. He emphasized the importance of adhering to police directions and maintaining order.
Australian leaders urged restraint and cautioned against importing international conflicts onto domestic soil. The call for calm came as the nation grappled with the complexities of the situation and the potential for further unrest.
The Bondi Beach attack wasn’t an isolated incident, but rather the latest in a disturbing trend of rising anti-Jewish threats and violence across Australia. A timeline compiled by the American Jewish Committee reveals a sustained increase in incidents since October 2023.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry documented over 1,600 anti-Jewish incidents between October 2024 and September 2025, following more than 2,000 incidents the previous year. These included vandalism of synagogues, arson attacks, and public harassment.
Israeli leaders have pointed to the Bondi attack as evidence of the growing dangers facing Jewish communities worldwide. They have also voiced criticism towards Australian authorities, questioning their ability to prevent such acts of terror.
