(SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA) Police in New South Wales are treating Sunday’s Bondi Beach attack as terrorism after two men, identified as a father and son, stabbed and shot into crowds on the first day of Hanukkah, killing at least 16 people and wounding dozens. The father died at the scene, police said.
Authorities said those killed included a Holocaust survivor, a 10‑year‑old child, and two rabbis from Sydney’s Chabad community. Hospitals reported dozens of wounded, many with life‑threatening injuries. Detectives have not released victims’ names, and family members gathered outside emergency wards searching for loved ones. Some held candles as night fell.
Official responses and political context
NSW Premier Chris Minns said in a government statement the violence was “designed to target Jewish people” and came amid a surge in antisemitic incidents since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Minns urged calm and said investigators were chasing every lead, including reports of possible Iranian involvement.
The massacre quickly spilled into national politics. Social media posts claimed Nationals Deputy Leader Kevin Hogan demanded tougher immigration laws after the Bondi Beach attack. There is no direct evidence in available reports that links Hogan’s comments to the attack, and investigators have not said migration settings played any role so far.
- Kevin Hogan is the Nationals’ deputy leader and the Coalition’s shadow minister for trade, investment and tourism.
- On November 20, 2025, Hogan said Australia lacked infrastructure, especially housing, to support 1.2 million migrants over five years, warning that prices were “going through the roof” nationwide.
- He has argued for meeting skilled‑worker shortages while not locking in final Coalition policy before an election.
- Hogan has been MP for Page since 2013; parliamentary records show attendance between 76% and 98% across sessions.
Security analysts and migration lawyers cautioned that tragedy often prompts calls for border changes, but policy links frequently prove thin. As of December 16, 2025, reports to this publication showed no confirmed tie between the attackers’ backgrounds and Australia’s visa rules, and police have not made claims.
“Investigators were chasing every lead,” Minns said, while officials cautioned that inquiries were at an early stage and evidence was still developing.
The attack, intervention and suspects
Police said a Muslim fruit shop owner intervened during the chaos, wrestling a weapon from one attacker and possibly preventing higher casualties. The older attacker, the father, died during the assault. The son survived; he had been investigated for ISIS links in 2019. His immigration status has not been confirmed.
Counter‑terror investigators are working alongside homicide detectives to map how the father and son planned the assault and whether anyone helped them. Minns said police were investigating possible Iranian involvement, but officials stressed the inquiry was ongoing.
Victim services, hospital support and contact information
NSW Police asked witnesses to upload photos and video through their website or report information to Crime Stoppers.
- Victims Services opened a dedicated line: 1800 411 822 (available 9am to 5pm on weekdays).
- Safe Haven hours at Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick: December 15–19, 10:00am–7:30pm, for youth aged 7–17 only.
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Victims Services line | 1800 411 822 (9am–5pm weekdays) |
| Safe Haven (Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick) | Dec 15–19, 10:00am–7:30pm — youth 7–17 only |
Police said they will keep reviewing CCTV, phone data and witness statements, and urged anyone who fled the beachfront in panic to come forward, even if their memory feels incomplete.
Community impact and security measures
For Sydney’s Jewish community, the timing on Hanukkah turned a holiday of light into days of grief and extra security. Community members said privately they were afraid to let children travel alone. Police increased patrols near synagogues and kosher businesses as vigils formed along the beachfront with prayers and silence.
- Speakers at candlelight gatherings recalled the Holocaust survivor killed in the attack and warned how hatred can manifest.
- Friends of the two Chabad rabbis described them as gentle teachers who spent their days helping others.
- Paramedics said several wounded patients remained in intensive care this week.
Refugee advocates warned that blaming migrants without proof can fuel hate, especially when communities are already on edge after Hanukkah.
Immigration, visas and legal context
The Department of Home Affairs, which runs visas and citizenship, says it can refuse or cancel visas on character grounds under the Migration Act, a power often cited after security scares. Details are published by the Department of Home Affairs. Investigators have not connected that power to this case.
Immigration agents in Sydney said some clients on temporary visas, including international students and skilled workers, were calling to ask if the attack could trigger sudden checks or visa cancellations. They were told no policy change had been announced, and that cancellations require legal grounds and process under federal law.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Australia’s migration debate often spikes after high‑profile crimes, even when police have not linked offenders to visa loopholes. The site noted that lawmakers can still push tougher immigration laws through Parliament, but such moves usually take months and face scrutiny from committees and public hearings.
Rumours, misinformation and official advice
In the hours after the attack, online rumours raced ahead of verified facts, including claims about the attackers’ passports and visa history. Police have not released those details. Officials urged the public to rely on confirmed police updates.
- Refugee advocates stressed that unproven claims can stoke xenophobia and violence.
- Coalition figures attempted to keep migration critiques focused on capacity issues (housing, services) rather than linking newcomers to violence.
Ongoing investigation and next steps
Counter‑terror and homicide teams continue:
- Reviewing CCTV and phone data
- Conducting searches and interviews
- Investigating possible foreign involvement and any wider network
Officials emphasized the investigation will take time, and that their main focus remains identifying motives and any wider network — not rewriting visa rules.
As Sydney braces for more memorials, investigators say the case will develop over weeks. For many families, the days of Hanukkah now include funerals and long hospital waits, not celebration after the Bondi Beach attack.
New South Wales police treat the Bondi Beach attack on Hanukkah as terrorism after a father and son killed at least 16 and wounded dozens. The father died; the son, previously investigated for ISIS links, survived. Investigators are reviewing CCTV, phone data and possible foreign connections while urging caution about rumors. Victim services opened a hotline (1800 411 822) and Safe Haven hours for youth; authorities stress no policy changes to visas have been announced.
