Bondi memorial: Herzog calls antisemitism a global emergency

Table of Contents

• SYDNEY — Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Bondi Beach to lay stones from Jerusalem and console families after the December 14 terror attack that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration.
• What happened at Bondi and who was affected
• Solidarity and the immediate response
• Press questions: prevention, protest and diplomatic strain
• Personal moments and a call for protection
• What Herzog asked of Australia and the world
• Key takeaways
• FAQs

SYDNEY — Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Bondi Beach to lay stones from Jerusalem and console families after the December 14 terror attack that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration.

The Bondi memorial visit saw President Herzog place two stones brought from Jerusalem at the site where 15 people were killed in the deadliest terror attack in Australia’s history. Herzog used the ceremony to underline that antisemitism is not only a Jewish problem but an Australian and global emergency, and to pledge solidarity with bereaved families and the wider community.

The stones, taken from the holy city of Jerusalem, were described by Herzog as symbols of “endurance of memory, the weight of loss and the unbreakable bond between the living and those we have lost.” The ritual anchored the visit in Jewish tradition and in a moment of national mourning.

What happened at Bondi and who was affected

On 14 December 2025, a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach turned into a massacre when two Islamist terrorists attacked worshippers and visitors. Fifteen innocent people were killed during the celebrations.

The youngest victim was a 10-year-old known as Sweet Mathilda. The oldest was 87-year-old Alex Claytman, a Holocaust survivor who was murdered for being Jewish on Sydney’s shores. The attack targeted Australian Jews but, as Herzog emphasised, was an assault on core Australian values — freedom of religion, tolerance and human dignity.

Solidarity and the immediate response

In his speech, Herzog praised the bravery of ordinary people who ran into danger to help others — "surfboards became trenches" as rescuers improvised to save lives. He also noted the outpouring of national grief and solidarity that followed, with Australians standing beside the Jewish community.

“Hatred that starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews.”

Herzog said this line to stress the wider consequences of unchecked hatred, and he urged every sector of society to speak out. He welcomed recent steps announced by the Australian government to tackle antisemitism and warned that silence in the face of hatred amounts to complicity.

“Silence in the face of hatred is complicity.”

Press questions: prevention, protest and diplomatic strain

When asked whether more could have been done to prevent the attack, Herzog said he shared the frustrations of bereaved families. He said warnings about rising antisemitism had been raised internationally — in Canada, the UK, the United States and Australia — and called for sustained, consistent action to change the reality on the ground.

On planned protests in Sydney mourning tens of thousands killed in Gaza, Herzog made a distinction between legitimate debate and actions that, he argued, delegitimise Israel’s right to exist. He framed terrorism as the main obstacle to peace and reiterated that terror must be opposed by all nations.

Personal moments and a call for protection

Herzog met families and community members during the visit. He told the story of a woman, Ella Bella, who showed emotion on hearing Hebrew and asked him to demand that the Australian government protect the Jewish community. Herzog replied that no Jew should feel harassed or limited in expressing their identity.

He described the trip as deeply personal for him and his wife, saying the visit was an expression of solidarity, friendship and love, and an opportunity to deepen relations between two democracies that share values.

What Herzog asked of Australia and the world

Herzog called for broad societal action to counter antisemitism — legal, cultural and educational measures across politics, media, schools and civil society. He invoked the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition to argue that attacks on the Jewish people’s right to a nation-state can be a form of antisemitism.

Above all, he asked that governments and communities remain vigilant and consistent. The message was both practical — push for better protection and prevention — and moral: stand with victims and refuse normalisation of hate.

Key takeaways

• President Herzog laid stones from Jerusalem at the Bondi memorial to honour the 15 victims and signal enduring solidarity.
• Herzog framed antisemitism as a global emergency and urged action across society to prevent further violence.
• He acknowledged frustrations from families about preventive measures and called for consistent, ongoing efforts to change reality.
• Herzog distinguished between policy debate and efforts that delegitimise Israel’s existence, urging protesters and governments to oppose terror.

FAQs

What did President Herzog do at the Bondi memorial?

He laid two stones brought from Jerusalem, addressed bereaved families and the public, prayed for the victims and called for national and international action against antisemitism.

How many people were killed in the Bondi attack?

Fifteen people were killed at a Hanukkah celebration on 14 December 2025.

Did Herzog say antisemitism is only a Jewish problem?

No. He said antisemitism is an Australian and global problem and warned that hatred that starts with Jews rarely ends with Jews.

What did Herzog say about planned protests in Sydney?

He urged goodwill and warned that some demonstrations risk undermining Israel’s right to exist; he emphasised that terrorism must be opposed by all parties committed to peace.

What practical steps did Herzog call for?

He called for consistent, cross-societal measures — stronger protection for Jewish communities, public education, clear political leadership and legal steps where necessary to combat antisemitism.

The information in this article has been adapted from mainstream news sources and video reports published on official channels. Watch the full video here 'This was an attack on all Australians': President Herzog at Bondi memorial | 7NEWS