Anti-Semitism was 'left unchecked’ in Australia after Gaza war, spy chief says
Summary
Australia’s spy chief, Mike Burgess, told an inquiry that anti-Semitism in Australia increased and was left unchecked after the 2023 Gaza war. This rise in hostility against Jewish people contributed to a higher national terrorism threat level and preceded the deadly Bondi Beach attack in December 2025.Key Facts
- Anti-Semitism grew in Australia after the Gaza conflict began in October 2023.
- The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) raised the terrorism threat level to “probable” in August 2024 because of increasing anti-Semitic actions.
- Before the December 2025 Bondi Beach attack, anti-Semitic acts escalated from intimidation to direct attacks on individuals, businesses, and places of worship.
- The Bondi Beach attack killed 15 people attending a Jewish Hanukkah event.
- ASIO linked Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to two anti-Semitic attacks on a kosher restaurant in Sydney and a synagogue in Melbourne.
- Iran’s ambassador was expelled from Australia in August 2024 due to these findings.
- Iran likely played a role in other attacks, but ASIO could not confirm full responsibility.
- The inquiry, or Royal Commission, is examining the rise of anti-Semitism and the events leading up to the Bondi attack.
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