World
‘Not in our back yard’: Sydney Jews confront Gaza mob on Bondi Beach
Pro-Palestine protests have taken place throughout the city – but locals fought back when one demonstration arrived in a heavily Jewish suburb
September 8, 2025 11:19
Pro-Palestine protests have taken place throughout the city – but locals fought back when one demonstration arrived in a heavily Jewish suburb
September 8, 2025 11:19A tense stand-off erupted into a physical fight on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday morning, as pro-Israel protesters showed up in force to counter an unauthorised pro-Palestine gathering.
The stated aim of the pro-Palestine protest – which was organised by Jews Against the Occupation ’48, who say they are anti-Zionist Jews living in Australia, and another group called Eastern Suburbs for Palestine – was to show solidarity for the Global Sumund flotilla which set sail for Gaza last week.
However, their chosen location, Waverley – a heavily Jewish suburb of Sydney – led both the Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh and NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip to describe it as “a deliberate provocation”.
According to the Australian Jewish News, the few hundred Palestine protesters were outnumbered by thousands of pro-Israel counter-protesters, with the rallying call set by Stand With Us Australia (SWUA) as: “No, not in our backyard”.
For the most part the groups were kept separate by a strong police presence – with the Palestine protesters on the beach, and the pro-Israel ones confined to some nearby steps – however the heated stand-off turned physical at one point, with a brief tussle taking place in the area between the two camps.
Speaking at a rally at a nearby park, Michael Gencher, chief executive of SWUA said: “The protest there [on the sand] in support of terror and hate, has happened because we have had [only] words, and we have not had actions – and I am calling it out today . . . no more words!
“The [NSW] police minister could have stopped this, the government could have stopped this – how many times does the red line have to move?
“It started in Greenacre, it went to the Opera House, it consumed our city, then it took the Harbour Bridge.
“And now we are made to be intimidated where we live, where my kids have grown up – it’s appalling.”
Rabbi Yossi Friedman, who was also at the rally, added: “Yes, Bondi Beach belongs to everyone, but when the antisemites come here – to the [local government] area that has the largest Jewish population in NSW – with the intent of intimidating our people, we have the right to have our voices heard, to stand up, and to speak our truth.
“We stand here as proud Australians, and as proud Jews . . . We will not stoop to the level of those who spread hate.
“Each of us has a role – when they try to dim our lives, we need to shine brighter.”
In a statement released the next day, SWUA said: “Some in the media and the community chose to focus narrowly on a fleeting moment of tension, [but] that was not the story – the real story was thousands standing calmly, proudly, and peacefully . . . of neighbours looking out for one another, parents bringing their children to show them courage, and a community affirming its place in the heart of Sydney.
“It was a true reflection of the feeling and spirit of our community today – people came because they have had enough of intimidation, harassment, and deliberate provocation.”
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.