National Day of Mourning – Bondi Massacre

This week, Jewish communities and Australians nationwide marked the National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Bondi massacre. Thousands gathered at the Sydney Opera House under the theme “Light Will Win,” chosen by the Bondi Jewish community.

In a landmark address, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered a public apology to Australian Jews, saying he was “deeply and profoundly sorry” that the community was not protected. NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley reaffirmed solidarity, praised first responders, and called for decisive action against hate.

As candles were lit and mitzvot performed across the country, the message was clear: remembrance must be matched by resolve. While memory honours the past, resolve safeguards the present and shapes the future. Lighting candles, gathering in solidarity, and speaking the names of victims matter deeply – but they must lead somewhere.

Resolve means action after the speeches end. It means that when Jewish communities raise concerns about safety, those warnings are taken seriously before tragedy strikes, not acknowledged afterwards. It means consistent policing of threats and intimidation and zero tolerance for hate masquerading as protest.

For Australian Jews, resolve means knowing that when antisemitism appears in our streets, on our campuses, or online, it will be confronted swiftly and unequivocally. It means political leaders calling it out clearly – without caveats, moral equivalence, or delay. And it means long-term commitment: not just moments of unity in crisis, but sustained responsibility to ensure Jewish Australians can live openly, proudly, and safely.

Remembrance honours those we have lost. Resolve is how we ensure history does not repeat itself.

Hate Speech Laws Passed (a necessary step, not the finish line)

The Federal Parliament has passed new hate speech provisions alongside broader legislative reforms. We welcome these steps and support stronger legal tools to address incitement and vilification. The passage of new federal hate speech provisions is an important and necessary step. Stronger laws send a clear message that incitement, vilification, and threats of violence have no place in Australian society – and that antisemitism is not a matter of opinion, but a harm that demands response.

But for Jewish communities, the challenge has never been the absence of laws alone – it has been whether those laws are enforced. Too often, we have seen antisemitic rhetoric excused, minimised, or allowed to escalate without consequence. Online abuse goes unchecked. Public intimidation becomes normalised. Protests cross clear lines, yet accountability is slow or absent.

Legislation must therefore be matched by consistent enforcement, clear guidance for police and institutions, and real consequences for offenders. Education must accompany enforcement – so that antisemitism is understood, not misunderstood or redefined out of existence. And political leadership must remain firm, even when it is uncomfortable.

Jewish Australians are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for the same assurance every community deserves: that the law will protect us, that our safety is non-negotiable, and that hatred will be confronted – not tolerated.

Hope for the Last Hostage

Reports indicate renewed efforts to locate the body of Ran Gvili, believed to be the last remaining hostage in Gaza. Statements from US President Donald Trump have raised cautious hope that progress may be possible. For his family, and for the people of Israel, bringing Ran home would allow mourning to be completed, kaddish to be said, and a life taken by terror to be honoured properly. Until that moment comes, the pain remains unfinished. We stand with Ran’s loved ones, and with all Israelis, in the insistence that even in the face of unspeakable cruelty, every victim deserves to be brought home.

In grief and in hope, we reaffirm our commitment: to memory, to justice, and to a future where light truly does win.

Shabbat Shalom from Zionism Victoria

Get Involved: Yom HaZikaron 2026

This year, Yom HaZikaron will centre the voices of our own community. We are inviting local individuals who have served in the IDF, who have lost loved ones, or whose lives have been deeply shaped by loss, service, and sacrifice, to share their stories.

Our focus is on the hearts within our community that have been touched and torn – on personal memories, lived experiences, and quiet truths that deserve to be witnessed.

This Yom HaZikaron will be a shared space: a place to speak, to listen, and to hold one another in our grief, remembrance, and collective strength.

For anyone who is interested in sharing their story, please email ariwenig@gmail.com

The State of Israel wants to hear from you!

The Prime Minister's Office together with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration are currently promoting a new initiative to develop solutions and incentives designed to help those interested in Aliyah make the decision to move to Israel.

In order for us to create new solutions for you that will truly make a difference – we need to understand what is of importance to you in moments of deliberation.

Take the survey and make your voice heard to help us build the bridge home: https://go.gov.il/israel-survey-en

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay informed, inspired and connected with what’s happening across Zionism Victoria.