Bondi Beach shooting fuels surge in US antisemitic hate crimes

In July 2023, two gunmen linked to ISIS opened fire on a beach crowd at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, killing Rabbi Eli Schlanger and 14 other people. The attack, part of a wave of extreme antisemitic violence, has been cited as a catalyst for rising hate crimes against Jews in the United States.

The Anti‑Defamation League reported that anti‑Jewish incidents in the U.S. reached their highest level in 46 years, with armed guards now patrolling synagogues and many Jews reporting they hide religious symbols. Recent U.S. incidents include the killing of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington and the murder of an elderly Jewish woman at a protest in Colorado. Lawmakers have warned that the spike is tied to the Israel‑Gaza war and broader extremist trends.

Officials in both countries are expanding security measures, while community leaders stress the need for vigilance and dialogue to counter the growing threat.