Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ignited a diplomatic confrontation by directly connecting Australia’s recognition of Palestinian statehood to the deadly mass shooting at a Jewish holiday event in Sydney. In sharply worded remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu accused Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of fueling antisemitic sentiments through his government’s stance on Palestinian statehood.
The tragic incident at Bondi Beach, which resulted in at least 11 fatalities including one Israeli citizen, has drawn international condemnation and expressions of solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community. Netanyahu’s government has consistently argued that global support for Palestinian statehood effectively rewards Hamas following its 2023 attack on Israel, creating what he characterizes as a dangerous climate for Jewish communities worldwide.
Australia joined 158 other nations in formally recognizing Palestinian statehood during September’s United Nations General Assembly, aligning with the widespread international consensus that a two-state solution represents the only viable path to resolving the protracted conflict. This diplomatic position has placed Australia at odds with Netanyahu’s administration amid ongoing military operations in Gaza.
The shooting has prompted strong reactions from global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump who labeled the attack ‘purely antisemitic,’ and Britain’s King Charles III who expressed being ‘appalled and saddened.’ German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the violence as ‘an attack on our shared values,’ while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized solidarity with Jewish communities during Hanukkah celebrations.
Notably, Iran—which Australia accused of orchestrating antisemitic attacks earlier this year—condemned the violence through Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, stating that ‘terrorism and the killing of people, wherever they occur, are unacceptable.’ The World Jewish Congress reaffirmed its commitment to religious freedom, with President Ronald Lauder declaring that such violence ‘will not break us.’
Local religious leaders in Sydney reported escalating antisemitic incidents in recent months, with Anglican pastor Matt Graham describing constant exposure to antisemitic graffiti in eastern Sydney neighborhoods. The attack has prompted increased security measures at Jewish sites globally, including enhanced police presence in London.