Just before Hanukkah attack, Jewish mayor of Bondi Beach region had been praised for fighting antisemitism

Three weeks before the Hanukkah mass shooting in Australia that has become the deadliest attack on Diaspora Jews in decades, the mayor of the affected region had been feted at a global summit for fighting antisemitism. “I think it’s really important for us here in Australia, and particularly Waverley, to be proud that we’ve been […]

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‘The most Australian name’: Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach attack, embodies a nation’s grief

The youngest victim of the Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre is known by just one name — but it’s all that’s needed to make her a symbol for her fellow Australians. “I named her Matilda because she was our firstborn in Australia. And I thought that Matilda was the most Australian name that could ever exist,” […]

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As Australian Jews call for action on antisemitism, contrite PM unveils moves to curb hate speech

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a slew of changes meant to curb antisemitism, including a crackdown on hate speech by extremist clerics. The announcement comes four days after two gunmen killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney. Many Australian Jews said they had feared such an attack after […]

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Australian authorities confirm that Bondi Beach attackers were affiliated with Islamic State terror group

The father-and-son duo who killed 15 people during an attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney on Sunday were motivated by “Islamic State ideology,” Australian authorities have confirmed. Australian media had reported on Monday that the country’s intelligence service had previously investigated Naveed Akram, the son, over his ties to members of an Islamic State […]

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Bondi Beach attack transforms global Hanukkah celebrations into acts of defiance — with added security

Within hours of a devastating shooting on a Chabad Hanukkah party in Australia, other outposts of the Hasidic movement began outlining their plans to go forward with their own celebrations, despite their grief and the possible risk. “Chanukah teaches that we do not respond to darkness by retreating,” said Rabbi Mendel Silberstein of Chabad Lubavitch […]

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