Australia

President Isaac Herzog brings Israel’s embrace to Australian Jews as protests rage outside

DIASPORA AFFAIRS: Despite protests, Herzog’s trip to Australia underscored Israel's solidarity with the Jewish community following the Bondi Beach massacre.

'We are one big family, and when one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain.’ President Isaac Herzog used his trip to Australia to act as Israel’s comforter-in-chief for the stricken community after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack in December.
Prof. Ofer Merin, IFCJ President Yael Eckstein, and Prof. Jonathan HaLevy.

Grapevine, February 13, 2026: An anti-aggression alliance

ISRAEL'S PRESIDENT Isaac Herzog speaks during his state visit to Australia following a deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia, February 12, 2026.

In Australia, President Isaac Herzog tells anti-Israel demonstrators to protest Iran instead

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets students at Moriah War Memorial College during his state visit following a deadly mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, February 10, 2026.

Herzog meets lone soldiers and families in closed-door Melbourne gathering


Australia's Albanese: 'I am deeply and profoundly sorry' for Bondi Beach massacre

"Today is an opportunity for us to remember and pay respect to the 15 lives," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Thursday.

People stand near flowers laid as a tribute at Bondi Beach to honour the victims of a mass shooting that targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday, in Sydney, Australia, December 16, 2025.

Human hand outline may be oldest rock art in the world, researchers say

The 67,800-year-old reddish-colored stenciled image has become faded over time and is barely visible on a cave wall, but nonetheless embodies an early achievement of human creativity.

THE FAINT image of a hand stencil, a negative outline of a human hand created by placing a hand against a rock wall surface and spraying pigment paint around it, that has been dated to 67,800 years ago, in a limestone cave called Liang Metanduno on Muna.

Australia passes toughest hate crime laws in country's history, despite significant opposition

The Combating Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Act 2026 expands and strengthens Commonwealth criminal offences to address the spread of hatred and extremism.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends a press conference following a shooting at Bondi Beach, at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, December 14, 2025.

Mark Dreyfus honors victims of Bondi Beach massacre with Mourner's Kaddish in Australian Parliament

In a moving tribute, Mark Dreyfus recites the Mourner’s Kaddish for victims of the Bondi Beach attack, urging action on hate speech and gun reform.

Mark Dreyfus speaks in Parliament House on Jan. 19, 2026 in Canberra, Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recalled parliament early, with a number of key pieces of legislation on the agenda, including the tightening of gun control laws.

Britain considers range of measures to protect children online, including social media ban

The government did not mention a particular age limit, but said it was exploring a ban "for children under a certain age."

Social media.

Dozens of Australian east coast beaches closed after four shark attacks in two days

"If you're thinking about going for a swim, think of going to a local pool because at this stage, we're advising that beaches are unsafe," said Steven Pearce, executive chief of Surf Life Saving NSW.

A lifeguard patrols North Steyne beach as beaches are closed after recent shark attacks, in Sydney, Australia, January 20, 2026.

Australia's lower house of Parliament toughens up on gun laws in wake of Bondi Beach shooting

The bill, which was opposed by conservative lawmakers, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 96 to 45 and will now go to the Senate.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns speaks during a condolence motion following the shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney's Bondi Beach, in the Legislative Assembly at Parliament House in Sydney, Australia, December 22, 2025.

Weeks after tragic attack, Australian educators visit Israel for KKL-JNF seminar

Coming just weeks after the deadly Bondi Beach, the visit was of significant importance to the attendees.

Australian educators visit Israel as part of a KKL-JNF visit, weeks after the Bondi Beach terror attack, January 2026.

Australia’s Parliament honors Bondi Beach shooting victims with moment of silence, speeches

The attack shocked the nation and led to calls for tougher action on antisemitism and gun control, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledging tougher action on both.

A memorial of pebbles in remembrance to the lives lost during the Bondi Beach mass shooting on December 14, 2025, in Sydney, Australia, January 16, 2026.

Heavy rains in eastern Australia spark flash floods, 20 rescued

In state capital Sydney, Australia's largest city, residents and holidaymakers were evacuated late on Saturday after dangerous flooding hit the low-lying suburb of Narrabeen, authorities said.

Firefighters in New South Wales rescue Australians from the flooding across New South Wales on January 17, 2026.