The Australian state of New South Wales is moving to ban the chant “globalise the intifada” and implement stricter hate speech and protest laws in response to the deadly Bondi Beach shooting that killed 15 people last Sunday. The Bondi Beach attack, which occurred during a Hanukah festival event last Sunday, marked Australia’s deadliest shooting in nearly 30 years, with two gunmen believed to be motivated by Islamic State ideology opening fire and killing 15 individuals while injuring dozens more.
In the aftermath, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has announced plans to recall the state parliament next week to pass through a series of measures aimed at countering extremism and promoting community safety. Minns confirmed that the government will seek to classify the phrase “globalise the intifada” as hate speech, effectively banning its use in public demonstrations. This move is part of a broader crackdown on “hateful” slogans that authorities believe can incite violence, with the premier linking the recent pro-Palestine protests to the heightened tensions that culminated in the Bondi attack. Additionally, Minns has called for a Royal Commission to investigate the shooting and its circumstances thoroughly.
The proposed legislative changes include not only hate speech laws but also stricter gun control measures, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing a new gun buyback scheme to collect and destroy hundreds of thousands of firearms. Furthermore, Minns plans to grant police “extraordinary powers” to effectively ban protests for up to three months in designated areas following a terrorism designation, stripping the judiciary of oversight in such cases. This has drawn criticism from civil liberties groups who argue that the measures are too broad and unfairly target peaceful demonstrations.
Reaction to the premier’s announcements has been mixed, with some Jewish community leaders, such as David Ossip of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, supporting the crackdown by stating that chanting for intifada has led to real-world violence. However, pro-Palestine activists and certain Jewish groups have condemned Minns for conflating the protests with the attack, emphasizing that the movement has always stood against antisemitism and that the two are unrelated. For instance, Jesse McNicoll of Jewish Voices of Inner Sydney called the linkage “outrageous,” while the Palestine Action Group denied planning any upcoming protests.
Amidst the political and social upheaval, tributes have been pouring in for the victims, including a national day of reflection scheduled for Sunday with a minute’s silence and candles lit in windows under the theme “light over darkness.” Over the past week, lifeguards and surfers at Bondi Beach have held memorials, such as lining up arm-to-arm and paddling out to form a giant circle in the ocean, honoring those lost and celebrating the heroes who responded during the attack.
The implications of these new laws extend beyond immediate security concerns, raising questions about free speech and the balance between public safety and civil liberties in Australia. Critics warn that the powers could be misused to suppress legitimate dissent, while supporters argue they are necessary to prevent further violence and hate crimes in a community still reeling from tragedy. The debate is set to intensify as the legislation moves through parliament.
Looking ahead, the NSW parliament is expected to reconvene next week to debate and potentially pass the hate speech and protest restriction bills, with bipartisan support indicated by Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane. The outcome will likely shape Australia’s approach to extremism and public demonstrations for years to come, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of one of its worst mass shootings and seeks to foster unity in a divided time.
