Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has sharply criticised Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney that left at least 16 people dead during a Hanukkah event.
In a video message shared on X, Netanyahu accused the Albanese government of failing to protect Australia’s Jewish community and linked the attack to what he described as rising antisemitism in the country.
Antisemitism is a cancer. pic.twitter.com/oz44ixjpAP
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) December 14, 2025
Netanyahu Links Attack to Palestinian State Recognition
In the video, Netanyahu referenced a letter he said he sent to Albanese four months ago, warning that Australia’s position on Palestinian statehood was dangerous.
He claimed Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state “pours fuel on the antisemitic fire” and argued that such policies would “reward Hamas terrorists.”
Referring to both the earlier warning and Sunday’s attack, Netanyahu accused Albanese of inaction in the face of growing antisemitism.
“You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country. You took no action,” Netanyahu said during a government meeting on Sunday.
“You let the disease spread and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today,” he added.
Albanese Responds, Calls for Unity
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded to Netanyahu’s remarks on Monday during a press conference, urging Australians to come together rather than escalate political tensions.
“This is a moment for national unity, a moment for Australians to come together, which is exactly what we will be doing,” Albanese said.
Rise in Antisemitic Attacks in Australia
Australian authorities have reported a significant increase in antisemitic incidents since the outbreak of the Gaza war. Since October 2023, synagogues, Jewish-owned businesses, and private homes have been targeted across the country.
The Australian government has officially declared the Bondi Beach shooting a terrorist attack, describing it as the latest and deadliest antisemitic incident in the country.
Bondi Beach Shooting: What Happened
At least 16 people were killed and around 40 others injured when two gunmen opened fire at crowds gathered at Bondi Beach on Sunday. The attack took place during a Hanukkah celebration at the popular Sydney beach.
Officials confirmed that one of the deceased was one of the gunmen. Among the victims were an Israeli citizen and a 10-year-old child.
Australia’s Palestinian State Decision in Focus
Australia was among several countries that formally recognised a Palestinian state in September during the United Nations General Assembly. The decision came amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu has repeatedly criticised international recognition of Palestinian statehood, arguing that it emboldens extremist groups and fuels antisemitism abroad.
