New South Wales to tighten laws on extremist displays after Bondi Beach attack

New South Wales on Saturday unveiled draft laws to ban public displays of Islamic State flags or symbols from extremist groups after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday that authorities described as an antisemitism-driven attack. The attack, targeting a Hanukkah celebration on Australia’s most famous beach, left 15 people dead and several others injured, underscoring rising concerns about antisemitism and political violence in the country.

Under the proposals, publicly displaying Islamic State flags or symbols from other extremist groups would be offenses punishable by up to two years in prison and fines. The measure would also extend to symbols used in demonstrations or other public settings. Premier Chris Minns said chants of globalize the intifada would be banned and police would gain powers to demand protesters remove face coverings at demonstrations. Two homemade IS flags were found in the vehicle used by the suspects, according to authorities. Parliament is expected to debate the reforms on Monday after Minns recalled parliament.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to broaden the definition of hate speech offenses to cover preachers and leaders who promote violence, designate some groups as hateful, and allow hate as an aggravating factor in online threats and harassment. He has also proposed tighter gun laws as part of a broader push to curb radicalization and hate. Albanese joined the Jewish community at Sydney’s Great Synagogue on Friday and said the spirit of the Jewish Australian community is completely unbreakable. Australia will not allow these evil antisemitic terrorists to divide us, he said, adding that no matter how dark things become, light will triumph.

Authorities announced a National Day of Reflection on Sunday, the final day of Hanukkah, with flags flown at half-mast on official buildings. Albanese is set to join others at Bondi for a minute of silence at 6:47 p.m., the time police first reported gunfire. The ongoing investigation into the attack continues as authorities piece together the circumstances surrounding the two suspects.

The shooting has reignited questions about the protection of Jewish communities in Australia, which has about 117,000 Jews in a population of roughly 28 million. Antisemitic incidents, including assaults, vandalism, threats and intimidation, surged more than threefold in the year after Hamas began its war in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, according to a July report by Jillian Segal, the government’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism. The report highlighted a pattern of rising harassment and intimidation, prompting leaders to push for stronger laws and better monitoring of extremist activity.

Authorities said one of the suspects, Sajid Akram, was shot dead on Sunday. His son, Naveed Akram, 24, remains in custody in a New South Wales hospital and has been charged with 59 offences, including murder and committing a terrorist act. Police are reviewing the evidence against him as investigators assess whether the attack was directed or inspired by a designated extremist organization. The attack has prompted a broader dialogue about how to protect communities and counter radicalization, with officials stressing that public safety and online harms require coordinated policy responses across local, state, and federal levels.

The events at Bondi have cast a long shadow over the holiday season and the nation’s security posture. Political leaders have signaled a sustained effort to address hate speech, incitement, and the entanglement of political rhetoric with violence. While law enforcement and intelligence agencies continue to pursue leads, communities have called for continued vigilance, clearer guidelines for demonstrations, and robust support for victims and survivors. In the weeks ahead, lawmakers will weigh the balance between protecting civil liberties and the need to deter extremist propaganda and actions, as Australia’s public discourse grapples with the implications of political extremism in a pluralistic society.