Australian bar shut over posters of Netanyahu, Trump and others as Nazis, under post-Bondi law

Australian police have shuttered a Canberra bar, declaring it a crime scene, and seized posters depicting politicians as Nazis under new hate crime laws passed after the Bondi Beach terror shooting targeting a Jewish event.

One of the images shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a Nazi uniform, according to photos on social media. Signs in the window read, “Sanction Israel” and “Stop genocide.”

The posters also show US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, and billionaire Elon Musk, in Nazi uniforms.

The establishment, Dissent Cafe and Bar, says the images are meant as satire.

Officers asked the owner to remove the posters yesterday after someone complained about “possible hate imagery” in the bar, police in the Australian Capital Territory says in a statement.

“The owner declined this request and so a crime scene was established,” the statement says. “Five posters were subsequently seized and will be considered under recently enacted Commonwealth legislation regarding hate symbols.”

Police shut Canberra bar for "possible hate imagery"@ACTPolicing seize display posters depicting @POTUS @VP @KremlinRussia_E @netanyahu & @elonmusk as Nazi officers under Commonwealth law on hate symbols. Dissent Cafe & Bar owner had refused to remove posters. @canberratimes pic.twitter.com/FsjGjCe9eI

— Petlee Peter (@petleepeter) February 19, 2026

Under the hate crime legislation passed after the mass shooting at Bondi Beach on December 14, it is an offense to display Nazi and other hate symbols or to make the Nazi salute.

However, the law gives an exception for symbols shown for a “legitimate purpose,” including artistic, literary, religious, academic and educational reasons.

Dissent Cafe and Bar said it canceled a music gig after what it called “obvious harassment.”

“The crime is displaying these posters, clearly and obviously parody art with a distinct anti-fascist message,” it says in a message on social media.

Police say they are seeking advice on the legality of the posters, which are available online from the Grow Up Art group.

“It’s clearly satirical,” bar owner David Howe tells Australian public broadcaster ABC. “It shows you how utterly ridiculous the police force are at missing the point.”