University of Sydney lecturer apologizes for Bondi Beach remark: "a good Zionist is a dead one"

A senior lecturer at the University of Sydney apologized after a video surfaced of her saying "a good Zionist is a dead one" during a confrontation with counter-protesters on Bondi Beach two weekends ago. Dr Naama Carlin, a senior lecturer in Sociology and Social Sciences at the university, was filmed speaking in Hebrew during the clash on the popular Sydney beach.

Carlin told the Daily Mail she apologised for the remarks, saying, "An edited video shows me using unacceptable language. I unreservedly apologise for making this comment. As a Jewish woman who grew up in Israel, I understand how hurtful my comments are." She said she had been subjected to prolonged verbal abuse and racial vilification that was not captured on camera, and that her partner and three-year-old son were present and also abused.

Robert Gregory, chief executive of the Australian Jewish Association, urged that Carlin be dismissed, arguing that there is no justification for violence or for calling for death because of someone’s identity. He said the statement risked making Jewish students unsafe at universities and that UNSW should terminate Carlin’s employment.

A UNSW spokesperson said the university had been made aware of the video and would handle the incident under its internal policies and procedures.

Carlin is an executive member of the Jewish Council of Australia, which describes itself as opposing Israel's continued policies aimed at the destruction of Palestinian life and supporting Palestinian freedom and justice.

The Jewish Council of Australia bought an advertisement in the Daily Telegraph this week that read: 'There is a genocide in Gaza. Jews say sanction Israel now.'

On Bondi Beach, the day’s protests saw pro-Palestine demonstrators clash with counter-demonstrators; some counter-demonstrators waved Australian and Israeli flags; one person shouted at the pro-Palestine crowd to "go back to Lakemba" and another admonished the group. Police intervened as scuffles unfolded; later that day, a 29-year-old man was arrested at a home in Edmonson Park in Sydney’s south-west and charged with affray and common assault. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on October 9. Inquiries into the incident continue.

NSW Premier Chris Minns condemned the behaviour, saying there would be zero tolerance for political violence and that there is no place for anyone assaulting another person because of their political views.

The events at Bondi reflect mounting tensions surrounding the Gaza-Israel debate in Australia and have drawn scrutiny of academic figures and university policies.