New South Wales weighs ban on 'globalize the intifada' chants, masked protesters after Bondi Beach attack
NSW proposes prohibiting antisemitic chants and face coverings at protests, while federal authorities link the Bondi Beach attack to ISIS and push gun and anti-radicalization measures.
SYDNEY — New South Wales is weighing a proposal to ban chants of 'globalize the intifada' and to prohibit protesters from wearing face coverings, a move authorities say would curb hate speech and reduce the risk of violence in the wake of a Hanukkah mass shooting at Bondi Beach that left at least 15 people dead. Premier Chris Minns said the plan would stretch police powers to require masks be removed during demonstrations and would bar public displays of ISIS flags or other extremist symbols. Offenses could carry penalties of up to two years in prison, with fines, according to The Associated Press.
The plan comes as Australia’s government broadens its focus on radicalization and hate in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack and a broader wave of antisemitic incidents since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks against Israel. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday that intelligence further confirmed the Bondi Beach shooting was ISIS-inspired, citing an online video feed from ISIS that reinforced the attack. Albanese announced a gun buyback program and a national day of reflection, and said the government would widen the definition of hate speech offenses and fund programs to curb radicalization.
The Office of National Intelligence has been cited by officials as identifying ISIS online material connected to the attack, a development Albanese described as a key factor in his broader policy agenda. The prime minister’s remarks followed intensified appeals from Australian Jewish leaders amid a rise in antisemitic incidents in the months since October. Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a prominent member of the Jewish community who was killed in the Bondi Beach attack, had publicly warned Prime Minister Albanese about growing antisemitism in letters to the government ahead of the weekend violence.
The Bondi Beach incident unfolded on Dec. 14 into Dec. 15, during a Hanukkah celebration at the popular Sydney venue, drawing mourners and security forces to the coastal suburb. Police have said the attack was carried out in a public space during a holiday gathering, and investigations continue to determine the assailant’s motives and any possible accomplices. Memorials and vigils have since been held for victims in Bondi and across Australia, underscoring the heightened security and political response underway.
NSW officials noted that the proposed ban would also bar extremist symbols beyond the chant itself, reflecting a broader push to address what authorities describe as hate speech and incitement to violence online and on the streets. Minns emphasized that such speech seeks to undermine social cohesion and endanger communities, and pledged that the state would move quickly to implement legislative changes if consensus is reached in the parliament.
The federal government’s response goes beyond policing and speech regulation. Albanese’s government has also signaled plans to further tighten gun control in the wake of the Bondi attack, and to implement measures designed to counter online extremism and radicalization at its roots. The government’s approach reflects a coordinated effort to respond to concerns raised by Jewish communities, law enforcement officials and security agencies about violent extremist ideologies spreading in the country over the past year.
In reflecting on the broader context, Australian officials have pointed to a pattern of antisemitic incidents since the Hamas attacks in October, with community leaders calling on authorities to do more to protect Jewish residents and institutions. Schlanger’s letter to the prime minister and other voices within the community have been cited in reporting about the evolving policy landscape, as officials seek to balance civil liberties with public safety and social harmony.
As the investigation into the Bondi Beach shooting continues, the political leadership in Canberra and Sydney are presenting a message to the public that violence tied to extremist ideologies will be met with legal and policy remedies. The NSW plan to ban chants and masks, paired with federal measures on hate speech, gun control and radicalization, forms part of a broader effort to prevent future tragedies and reassure communities affected by antisemitism and violence. Officials emphasized that the measures are designed to deter harmful rhetoric and reduce opportunities for violent acts, while acknowledging that any legislation would be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and public debate. The coming weeks are expected to see polarized discussions about how best to protect democratic freedoms while safeguarding vulnerable communities in a time of rising extremism.
The Bondi Beach attack and the continuing investigations have already prompted a set of symbolic acts—memorials, vigils and calls for solidarity across Australia—that illustrate the country’s resolve to confront such violence. As authorities pursue suspects, lawmakers will weigh new legal tools and resources to ensure that violent ideologies do not gain traction in public life. The crisis has also prompted discussions about how to balance civil liberties with the need for robust safety measures, a debate that will shape Australian policy on protests, speech and security for months to come.
