Albanese condemns anti-immigration protests as Bondi Beach attack memory weighs on weekend demonstrations

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned anti-immigration rallies planned across the country in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack, telling demonstrators to stay home as the nation observes a National Day of Reflection. He said the protests were organized to sow division and had no place in Australia, urging people not to attend.

NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed the call to cancel the events, warning that demonstrations could reopen wounds as communities mourn and bury the dead. Minns noted that no permit had been filed for the Sydney rally at Prince Alfred Park or the Melbourne gathering outside Parliament House, and he warned that police would intervene if road blockages occurred. The premier stressed that it was not an appropriate time to demonstrate while victims are being laid to rest and communities come together in grief. No permit had been received or accepted by NSW Police for the events.

The Bondi Beach attack occurred just before 7 p.m. last Sunday, when Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid, 50, opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 people and injuring about 40 more. Sajid was shot dead, and Naveed was taken into custody and charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder. Authorities described the incident as one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in recent memory, prompting days of mourning across the country.

Organizers from Put Australia First announced two rallies for Sunday: one at Prince Alfred Park in Sydney and another on the steps of Victoria’s Parliament House in Melbourne, both scheduled for 2 p.m. local time. They said they would stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and framed the event as a call for unity against what they described as radical Islamist extremism. The rallies drew criticism from many political leaders and Jewish groups, who argued that the timing was deeply insensitive and could exacerbate fear and grief.

In Sydney, One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce and Freedom Party founder Morgan Jonas were listed as speakers for the event, according to organizers. However, critics stressed that the mood in the nation was dominated by mourning and a collective pause for reflection, not political demonstrations. Premier Minns and other officials urged residents to respect the day of mourning and avoid actions that could inflame tensions during an already fragile moment for Jewish communities.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the timing of the Melbourne rally, along with Jewish leaders who said the gathering was inappropriate. Elyse Schachna, president of Zionism Victoria, said the day of reflection should be a moment for Australians to contemplate extremism and the conditions that allowed it to take root, rather than to stage protests. Allan and Schachna stressed that the community needed time to grieve, heal, and come together.

Despite the public criticism and the lack of official approval, the organizers maintained that the rallies would proceed, arguing that they had broad support within portions of the Jewish community for standing up against extremism. Allan warned that rhetoric at such events could fuel division and grief, and that authorities would not tolerate hate speech or actions that threaten public safety.

In addition to the demonstrations, officials said that Commonwealth government buildings in New South Wales would be flown at half-mast to honor the day of mourning, and Sydney’s city lights would be illuminated in yellow in the evening, including Bondi Pavilion. The government said it would support Jewish leaders in holding a community memorial event and would offer resources such as a shareable candle image for social media to commemorate the victims. The NSW Police and Victoria Police spokespeople said officers would be present at the rallies to ensure safety for participants and the broader community and to prevent unlawful activity or violence.

As the weekend proceeded, prosecutors and investigators continued to scrutinize the attack, with authorities reiterating that the case remained under active inquiry and that additional charges could be forthcoming. The attack has prompted renewed debate across the country about immigration, extremism, and the balance between free speech and public safety during a period of national mourning. The government and security agencies emphasized unity, resilience, and the need for measured, respectful responses that support those affected by the tragedy.