Anti-Semitism was 'left unchecked’ in Australia after Gaza war, spy chief says

AI Summary

Australia's spy chief testified that anti-Semitism was left unchecked following the Gaza war, contributing to an escalation that culminated in the Bondi Beach mass shooting in 2025. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation highlighted the increased severity of anti-Semitic behavior leading to the attack on a Jewish Hanukkah event.

Australia’s spy chief on Monday told an inquiry into the Bondi Beach mass shooting that anti-Semitism was left unchecked in the country after the start of the war in Gaza. Australian Security Intelligence Organisation head Mike Burgess added that before the attack that killed 15 people attending a Jewish Hanukkah celebration in December 2025, anti-Semitism had escalated in severity from “intimidating behaviour to direct targeting of people”.