Under rainy Sydney skies and surrounded by tight security including police snipers on rooftops, President Herzog laid a wreath at the Bondi Pavilion memorial. But it was the gesture of the two Jerusalem stones that captured the profound spiritual connection between Israel and Australia’s grieving Jewish community.

A Terror Attack on Australian Values

The December 14, 2025, massacre occurred during a public Hanukkah festival organized by Sydney’s Jewish community. Two gunmen opened fire on attendees celebrating the Festival of Lights, killing 15 people and injuring 40 others in what authorities declared a terrorist act inspired by the Islamic State group with clear antisemitic motives.

The attack profoundly impacted Australia’s Jewish community, 85% of whom live in Sydney and Melbourne. It became a symbol of surging global antisemitism, prompting President Herzog to immediately call for action against what he described as an “enormous wave of antisemitism” in Australian society.

A Message of Unity and Warning

In his address at the memorial, President Herzog emphasized that while the terrorists targeted Jews, they attacked the values all Australians hold dear.

Herzog met privately with survivors and families of the victims, offering embraces and consolation. He praised the courage of ordinary Australians who rushed to help during the attack, noting how surfboards were used as stretchers to save lives — a powerful image of humanity triumphing over hatred.

Australia’s Response

The Bondi Beach massacre prompted immediate action from Australian authorities. The government has implemented comprehensive measures to combat antisemitism and ensure such an attack never happens again.

President Herzog welcomed these measures, praising Australia’s bipartisan commitment to fighting hatred. The visit, conducted at the invitation of Governor-General Sam Mostyn on behalf of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Jewish community, included stops in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra.

Israel-Australia: Shared Democratic Values

The visit highlighted deep historical ties between the two nations. Australia was the first country to recognize Israel at the United Nations and aided in liberation efforts during World War I. Herzog used the occasion to advocate for strengthening bilateral relations, noting shared values in confronting what he called the “roots of evil.”

A Legacy of Resilience

President Herzog’s visit served as a powerful symbol of resilience and unity for Australia’s Jewish community. The ceremony at Bondi Beach, with its sacred stones from Jerusalem, created a permanent memorial that connects the ancient city with modern Australia in shared grief and determination.

As Herzog concluded his visit on February 12, returning to Israel, he left behind more than stones. He left a message of hope — that free people standing together can overcome the forces of hatred, that memory endures beyond tragedy, and that the light of human dignity will always triumph over the darkness of terror.

The 15 candles of Hanukkah that should have burned bright that December day were extinguished by evil. But in their memory, a different kind of light now shines at Bondi Beach — the eternal light of Jerusalem, carried in two small stones, reminding all who pass that we will never forget, we will never surrender, and we will overcome together.