Australia

Thirty-four Australians released from a camp holding families of suspected ISIS terrorists in Syria

Hukmiya Mohamed, a co-director of Roj camp, told Reuters that the 34 Australians had been released to their families, who had come to Syria for the release.

|ByREUTERS
A woman and child walk in the the al-Hol camp in Syria's northeastern Al-Hasakah Governorate on July 28, 2024, as Syrian families of suspected Islamic State fighters prepare to return to their homes in the countryside of Deir Ezzor.
A mourner lights candles as people gather around floral tributes outside Bondi Pavilion in Sydney on December 17, 2025, to honour victims of the Bondi Beach shooting that targeted a Hanukkah celebration.

Alleged Bondi Beach gunman makes first court appearance

Naveed Akram, 24, faces 59 charges over the December 14 attack, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder, and a terror offense.

|ByREUTERS
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 14, 2026.

UK's Starmer seeks greater powers to regulate online access

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said new powers are needed to regulate internet access and protect children from fast-evolving digital risks, including AI tools and social media.

|ByREUTERS
The USS Vermont (SSN-792), a US Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, arrives at HMAS Stirling naval base in Perth on October 29, 2025. The USS Vermont arrived for a Submarine Maintenance Period (SMP), marking progress under the AUKUS partnership.

Australia invests $2.76 billion on shipyard to deliver for nuclear-powered submarines

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the $2.76 billion as a down payment to deliver the new shipyard in Osborne, a suburb of Adelaide in South Australia.

|ByREUTERS

Grapevine February 6, 2026: Mixed feelings over Herzog’s visit down under

Movers and shakers in israeli society.

FEBRUARY 6, 2026ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
Bank Hapoalim’s public committee (from L): Amram Mitzna, Naama Halevi-Peer, Noam Hanegbi, and Sharona Tarshish.

Australian teenager charged for death threats against Herzog before visit

A 19-year-old Australian was charged over alleged online death threats against President Isaac Herzog ahead of the Israeli leader’s upcoming visit to Australia.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026ByREUTERS
Israeli President Isaac Herzog attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026.

Anti-Zionist Jewish group joins Hezbollah-linked bodies to oppose Herzog's Australia visit

President Isaac Herzog’s upcoming visit to Australia is facing opposition from an anti Zionist Jewish group working alongside Hezbollah and Muslim Brotherhood linked organizations.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByMEL GREEN
A PRO-PALESTINIAN rally is held outside Sydney Opera House, last month. From Sydney to New York, thousands called for the genocide of millions of Jews, celebrating October 7 as an act of defiance against evil.

Bankstown Nurses plead 'not guilty' after threatening to kill Israeli patients in viral 2025 video

Two Sydney nurses accused of threatening Israeli patients in a viral 2025 video pleaded not guilty in court, with their defense set to challenge the video’s admissibility.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
Two Australian nurses who were suspended for saying they would, and have already killed Israeli pateints, February 12, 2025.

For Australian IDF soldiers, Bondi shooting triggered memories of Oct. 7

While the community was reeling from the attack, some of its young members were serving in the IDF on the other side of the world.

JANUARY 31, 2026ByESTHER DAVIS
ISRAELI AMBASSADOR to Australia Amir Maimon and others watch the beginning of a new Torah scroll at the Sydney Opera House during a ceremony on the National Day of Mourning.

Hospital staff changed Jewish Bondi victim’s name on system, removed religion, without permission

“What exactly was hospital staff trying to protect a Jewish woman who had just survived a massacre from? Why was she in danger?” a member of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry asked

JANUARY 28, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
The ink on a memorial message sheet bleeds after rainfall as people lay flowers and pay tribute to honour the victims of a mass shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, December 20, 2025.

Australia at risk of sliding toward the UK’s extremism crisis, former Australian PM says

“In Australia, we have witnessed a terrible explosion in antisemitism since October 7,” said Morrison. “We left a gap for antisemitism to fill, and it certainly did, and it flourished.”

JANUARY 28, 2026ByZVIKA KLEIN
Former Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison speaks during the Light Against Terror: Chanukah Memorial event at Chabad of Bondi Synagogue on December 17, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

Herzog announces visit to Australia, will meet Australian Jews, political leaders during trip

President Isaac Herzog will be traveling to Australia from February 8 to February 12, where he will meet with Jewish leaders, victims of the Bondi Beach massacre, and Australian politicians.

JANUARY 28, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
Israeli President Isaac Herzog attends Israel Hayom conference in Jerusalem, November 17, 2025.

Jewish musical group performs song in Hebrew in historic Australia Day concert in Sydney

It marked the first time Hebrew has been sung at the iconic Opera House Forecourt in any concert setting, and also the first time a Jewish song has been performed at the Australia Day Live concert.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
SHIR, the Australian Jewish Music Festival, outside the Sydney Opera House.

Beyond the Headlines: Alexander’s Story

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

JANUARY 26, 2026BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR
Alexander Kleytman zl helping another Jew lay tefillin.