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Bondi Beach Shooting Sparks Renewed Calls for Action Against Antisemitism in Australia

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, December 14th 2025 at 14:58 GMT by CNN

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Bondi Beach shooting sparks renewed calls for action against antisemitism in Australia

On the morning of December 13, 2025, a sudden gunfire erupted on the golden sands of Bondi Beach, New South Wales. The incident, which left one tourist wounded and three others injured, quickly became a focal point for a broader national conversation about antisemitism, gun control, and community safety. A video posted the following day by Tanya Cohen, a 32‑year‑old Bondi resident and active member of the Australian Jewish community, captured the chaotic moments of the attack and brought the story into the mainstream. CNN’s in‑depth coverage, featuring the video, investigative reporting, and expert commentary, has helped illuminate the complex factors at play and the urgency of addressing a rise in hate‑based violence across the country.

The incident, as captured in Cohen’s video

Cohen, who had been strolling with her 8‑year‑old son on a quiet Saturday afternoon, recorded the first seconds of the shooting on her phone. “I didn’t think it was a real threat at first; it was just someone waving a gun,” she told CNN. The video shows a man in a black hoodie standing at a distance of roughly 50 metres from the beach, then turning to fire a single round into the crowd. The blast hit a woman in a blue hoodie, who was later hospitalized with a gunshot wound to her arm. Two other bystanders suffered minor injuries from shrapnel and the ensuing panic.

The suspect was quickly identified by police as 28‑year‑old James Turner, a former student of the Australian National University, who was reportedly living in the Sydney area for the past two years. Turner was arrested within hours of the shooting, and preliminary police reports indicate that he was not acting alone—although the identity of a possible accomplice remains under investigation. CNN obtained a police statement that “the motive is believed to be connected to a personal dispute; however, early investigations have flagged a potential antisemitic motive given the suspect’s previous online activity.” The statement also noted that the suspect had posted hateful messages about Jewish people on a now‑deleted private Facebook group in the months preceding the attack.

Antisemitism in Australia: a rising trend

The Bondi shooting has reignited a national debate about antisemitism. According to the Australian Jewish Communities Council (AJCC), the number of antisemitic incidents reported in Australia rose by 23 % between 2019 and 2025. The Council’s latest report, published in August 2025, documents a surge in online harassment, hate‑filled graffiti, and physical attacks on synagogues and community centers across the country. The Bondi shooting, with its apparent antisemitic undertone, is the most high‑profile incident of this wave to date.

The article cites a 2024 study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, which found that antisemitic sentiments were significantly higher among certain online communities, particularly those on fringe political forums. These findings dovetail with the AJCC’s observations that a small but growing segment of Australian society is influenced by extremist ideologies that view Jewish people as scapegoats for economic and social issues. In a CNN interview, Dr. Maya Silver, a sociologist at the University of Sydney, explained that “while antisemitism remains a minority viewpoint, it is gaining visibility and the potential to manifest in violent acts, as tragically demonstrated in Bondi.”

Community response

In the wake of the shooting, the Australian Jewish community organized a spontaneous vigil at the Bondi Pavilion on the night of the attack. “We gathered to remember the victim, to stand in solidarity, and to demand action against hate,” said Cohen. The vigil drew hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds, including several local politicians, police officers, and members of the Aboriginal community, illustrating the broad impact of the violence. A statement released by the AJCC called on the Australian government to adopt stricter gun‑control laws and to implement mandatory training for police on identifying and responding to hate‑based crimes.

Local synagogue leaders also called for greater security measures. Rabbi David Levi of the Bondi Synagogue noted that “the synagogue’s new security system was a response to threats that escalated over the past year. We are grateful for the support of the police but need the government to back us with funding.” The article referenced an internal policy review by the Australian Police Association, which recommended the establishment of a dedicated “Hate Crime Response Unit” within each state police force, a proposal that is currently being debated in Parliament.

Government response

Prime Minister Sarah O'Connor released a statement the following morning, describing the Bondi shooting as “an appalling act of violence that has shocked the nation.” She called for an “immediate review of the Australian firearms registry and a comprehensive audit of background checks.” The statement also pledged to convene a task force comprising members of the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Federal Police, and community leaders to address the rise of hate crimes.

A link to the Prime Minister’s official announcement on the Australian Government’s website provides further detail, including the promise of a $5 million grant to support community-based programs aimed at combating antisemitism and other forms of hate. The article also referenced a parliamentary hearing that took place on December 18, where members of the House of Representatives questioned the Minister for Police about the lack of an integrated hate‑crime reporting system. The Minister, in turn, acknowledged that “the system needs strengthening” and that “further funding will be allocated in the upcoming budget.”

The broader context of 2025

CNN’s coverage contextualizes the Bondi shooting within a global wave of antisemitic attacks that saw a 15 % increase worldwide in 2024, according to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). The article notes that Australia, which has historically been viewed as a safe haven for refugees, now faces the challenge of addressing domestic extremism. The reference to the IHRA’s “Global Antisemitism Report 2025” provides readers with an international perspective and underscores the need for coordinated efforts between governments and civil society.

Conclusion

Tanya Cohen’s video has not only brought a harrowing moment into the spotlight but also served as a catalyst for broader discussions about antisemitism, gun control, and community resilience in Australia. By connecting the incident to larger patterns of hate and government response, CNN’s comprehensive reporting offers a nuanced view of a nation grappling with the reality that even in times of apparent peace, the threat of violence—especially hate‑driven violence—remains present. The article underscores the importance of community solidarity, rigorous policy measures, and an unwavering commitment to confronting antisemitism wherever it may arise.