On December 15, 2025, a shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals, including 87-year-old Alexander Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor. The attack has been classified as a terrorist incident and marks the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The perpetrators, Sajid and Naveed Akram, were identified as father and son, with Naveed linked to extremist networks in Australia.

In response to the tragedy, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a National Cabinet meeting to discuss immediate reforms to gun control laws. Proposed measures include stricter regulations on 3D-printed firearms, limitations on the number of firearms an individual can possess, and enhanced background checks for gun license applicants. The government is also considering requiring all gun license holders to be Australian citizens and establishing a national firearms register, a project that has been in development since late 2023.

The Bondi Beach incident has raised significant concerns about the adequacy of existing gun laws, particularly as Australia has seen an increase in registered firearms since the 1996 gun buyback program. Gun control advocates, including organizations such as the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and Gun Control Australia, have emphasized the need for vigilance against gun violence, especially in light of the current number of firearms exceeding those present during the Port Arthur tragedy.

The shooting has also highlighted the troubling rise of anti-Semitism in Australia, with nearly 4,000 incidents reported since the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine in October 2023. Critics argue that the government's response to anti-Semitic sentiments has been insufficient, as evidenced by the appointment of a special envoy to combat anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, which some view as inadequate given the scale of the problem.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu controversially linked the violence to Australia's recognition of a Palestinian state, a claim rejected by Albanese as unfounded. This incident has sparked a broader debate about the implications of such narratives on community safety and the rights of both Jewish and Palestinian populations in Australia.

In the aftermath of the attack, the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) criticized the government for failing to act on warnings regarding potential threats and for policies perceived to exacerbate tensions. The AJA's statements reflect a growing concern about the rise of anti-Semitism and the need for a comprehensive approach to address hate and violence in society.

As investigations continue, including links to extremist figures like Wisam Haddad, there are calls for a thorough review of the systems in place to prevent such tragedies. Experts are advocating for a royal commission to examine the rise of ideologically motivated violence and anti-Semitism in Australia, underscoring the urgent need for effective governance and community cohesion in the face of rising violence.