Meng, Goldman Lead Bipartisan Congressional Push Urging Australia To Act After Deadly Antisemitic Bondi Beach Attack

In the wake of a deadly antisemitic attack targeting a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, U.S. Representatives Grace Meng and Dan Goldman are leading a bipartisan effort calling on the Australian government to take immediate and concrete action to combat rising antisemitism and protect its Jewish community.

Meng and Goldman, both Democrats from New York, spearheaded a letter on behalf of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism addressed to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The letter was signed by lawmakers from both parties, including Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Dan Meuser (R-PA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Randy Weber (R-TX), Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Chris Smith (R-NJ).

The correspondence followed the horrific attack on the first night of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire on a peaceful Jewish gathering, killing at least 15 people and injuring many others, including two police officers. Authorities said the death toll could have been even higher if not for the bravery of Ahmed al Ahmed, an Arab Muslim civilian who intervened, disarmed one of the attackers, and was shot twice while stopping further bloodshed.

In their letter, the lawmakers described the attack as an assault on fundamental democratic values. “This act of antisemitic terrorism strikes at the heart of our shared democratic values and our mutual commitment to protecting religious freedom and keeping our citizens safe,” they wrote. “Our deepest condolences are with the families of those murdered, and our prayers are with all those wounded and traumatized by this unconscionable violence.”

The members of Congress emphasized that the massacre occurred amid a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia. They pointed to a comprehensive Plan to Combat Antisemitism released in July 2025 by Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal. The plan outlines 49 recommended actions addressing antisemitism in education, universities, media, online platforms, public institutions, and within the Department of Home Affairs.

While welcoming the plan, the lawmakers pressed the Albanese government on implementation. “Given the horrific events that unfolded at Bondi Beach, we respectfully ask what concrete steps has your government taken to implement the recommendations in the Special Envoy’s Plan since it was released?” the letter asks. The members also sought clarity on how Australia plans to protect its Jewish community from further violence in the immediate aftermath of the attack, including efforts to counter malign foreign influence from actors such as Iran.

Australia is a signatory to the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism, a U.S.-led declaration launched in July 2024 and endorsed by more than 42 countries and international organizations. The guidelines commit signatories to monitoring, preventing, and responding to antisemitism through coordinated policy measures.

Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, underscored the urgency of the congressional appeal. He noted that the attack followed repeated warnings from the Australian Jewish community and international observers that unchecked antisemitic rhetoric and demonstrations can escalate into violence. Deutch called on the Australian government to fully adopt and swiftly implement the Special Envoy’s recommendations, utilize the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism, and thoroughly investigate foreign-backed antisemitic activity targeting Jewish institutions and individuals.

“This moment demands leadership,” Deutch said, praising Meng, Goldman, and their bipartisan colleagues for urging Australia’s leadership to act decisively to safeguard Jewish citizens.