Australia parliament returns with moment of silence for victims of Bondi Hanukkah terror attack

A rabbi (center) delivers a sermon as mourners gather in front of tributes laid in memory of victims of a terror attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, on December 20, 2025. (David Gray/AFP)
A rabbi (center) delivers a sermon as mourners gather in front of tributes laid in memory of victims of a terror attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, on December 20, 2025. (David Gray/AFP)

Australia’s parliament returns early with speeches and a moment of silence for those killed in the terror attack that targeted a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, as victims’ families watched from the public gallery.

Two terrorists who police allege were inspired by Islamic State opened fire at the event last month, killing 15 people in the country’s worst such incident in decades.

The attack shocked the nation and led to calls for tougher action on antisemitism and gun control.

“As we offer our love, sympathy and solidarity to everyone bearing the weight of trauma and loss, we make it clear to every Jewish Australian, you are not alone,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tells parliament.

Lawmakers had been due to return from their Southern Hemisphere summer break next month, but Albanese recalled parliament two weeks early to commemorate victims and begin debate on gun control and hate speech reforms.

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