Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was confronted by a reporter following the devastating terror attack on Bondi Beach.
Two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish festival celebrating the first day of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach at 6.47pm on Sunday.
Police confirmed 12 deaths, including that of one of the shooters, and at least 29 hospitalisations.
In a press conference shortly after 10pm, Albanese confirmed the incident was an organised terror attack and an act of anti-Semitism.
‘An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated by this attack,’ he said.
‘There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it.’
After Albanese addressed the shooting, a journalist questioned how authorities missed opportunities to address a growing levels of extremism in Sydney – especially against Jewish Australians.
‘When left unchecked, as you were just saying, anti-Semitism leads to terrorism and violence targeting the innocent,’ the journalist said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) faced a press conference on Sunday night following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack
NSW Police confirmed 11 people were killed by two gunmen and 29 were injured (pictured, officers at the scene)
‘Your government has come under criticism in claiming that it has ineffectively responded to the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia since October 7, 2023.
‘In September, your government recognised a Palestinian state. Your ministers have attacked the Israeli government, senior ministers refused to visit the sites of the October 7 massacres, and you created a special Islamophobia envoy alongside an anti-Semitism envoy.
‘Have you taken the threat of anti-Semitism seriously? And can you guarantee the safety of Jewish Australians?’
Albanese appeared solemn as he answered and promised to protect the Jewish community.
‘Yes, we have taken it seriously and we’ve continued to act,’ he said.
‘We’ve continued to work with Jewish community leaders.
‘We’ve continued to take all the advice from the security agencies to put in place special measures, and will continue to do so.’
There has been a notable rise of anti-Semitism in Sydney since Hamas massacred Israeli citizens on October 7, 2023. That attack kicked off the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza, Palestine.
Anti-Semitism has been on the rise in Sydney since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023 (pictured, a riot outside the Opera House on October 9, 2023)
The latest anti-Semitic stunt saw a neo-Nazi group rallying outside the NSW Parliament (pictured) on November 8, 2025
The first major incident in Australia was a pro-Palestine rally hijacked by anti-Semitists outside the Opera House on October 9, 2023.
The most recent incident at the front of Australians’ mind was a rally outside the NSW Parliament on November 8, 2025, during which neo-Nazis called for the government to ‘abolish the Jewish lobby‘.
During his speech on Sunday night, Albanese called for Australians to unite.
‘Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity, where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith at this dark moment for our nation,’ he said.
‘As Prime Minister, I say on behalf of all Australians to the Jewish community: We stand with you, we embrace you, and we reaffirm tonight that you have every right to be proud of who you are and what you believe.
‘You have the right to worship and study and live and work in peace and safety, and you enrich us as a nation.’
The Prime Minister promised Jewish Australians that he would ‘dedicate every resource required to making sure you are safe and protected’.
‘My fellow Australians, I say tonight that there are nights that tear at our nation’s soul,’ he said.
Albanese (pictured) was asked by a journalist: ‘Have you taken the threat of anti-Semitism seriously? And can you guarantee the safety of Jewish Australians?’
Albanese strongly condemned the actions of the terrorists (one pictured) and promised to protect the Jewish Australian community
‘In this moment of darkness, we must be each other tight. Hold on to the true character of the country that we love.
‘Australia is stronger than the cowards who attacked innocent people today. Australia is braver than those who seek to make us afraid. Australia will never submit to division, violence or hatred.
‘We will see justice done, and we will come through this together.’
Albanese also took a moment to thank the first responders and everyday Aussies who ran to help those injured in the shooting.
‘The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone’s worst nightmare,’ he said.
‘Australians have had their lives cruelly stolen and many have been injured. For all Australians, our thoughts are with those in the terrible early hours of their grief.
‘We are also thinking of everyone being treated, many of whom are alive right now because of the courage and quick action of the New South Wales Police and the first responders who rushed to their aid, as well as the courage of everyday Australians who, without hesitating, put themselves in danger in order to keep their fellow Australians safe.
‘We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives.’