Thousands of people attended vigils and solidarity events across Australia over the weekend to honour the 15 victims of last Sunday’s antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach, with large crowds gathering in major cities and visible participation from the Greek and wider Hellenic community.
In Sydney, up to 20,000 people gathered at Bondi Beach for a major vigil organised by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, held one week to the minute after the shooting began during a Hanukkah celebration. The event took place on the final night of Hanukkah and coincided with the national day of reflection.
Greek Australians were among those in attendance, standing alongside Jewish Australians, faith leaders, diplomats and community representatives in silence, prayer and unity. Attendees carried candles, national flags and messages of solidarity, as the beachfront was transformed into a sea of light.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed and heckled when introduced and did not address the crowd, while NSW Premier Chris Minns and local MP Kellie Sloane received standing ovations. Sloane was praised as a “hero” for assisting victims during the attack.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip renewed calls for a Commonwealth royal commission, warning that the community had raised concerns for years about rising antisemitism.
As candles were lit along Bondi Beach, a column of light projected into the night sky and the Sydney Opera House was illuminated in tribute, the Sydney vigil marked the culmination of a nationwide day of remembrance.
Earlier that day, members of the Greek community joined thousands at a Bondi memorial to pay their respects. Peter Psomas, President of the Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney, attended carrying Greek and Australian flags.
“Thousands turned up, wrapped arms around each other and showed unity as one, moving forward the best they could after a very emotional and difficult week,” he said on social media.
The Pontian Association of NSW Pontoxeniteas, led by President Maria Anthony, and the Cyprus Community of NSW‘s Honorary Secretary Kyriakos Panayi, also visited the memorial at Bondi Beach to honour those killed.
Greek diplomatic and religious representatives took part in solidarity events beyond the beachfront. Greece’s Consul General in Sydney, George Skemperis, attended a ceremony at the Great Synagogue of Sydney alongside representatives of multiple denominations and diplomatic missions.
“We all stand with the Jewish community against hatred and violence,” he said.
Interstate, solidarity events were also held in Western Australia, where His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Perth attended a gathering at the Parliament of Western Australia, organised following the Bondi attack. The event brought together parliamentarians, Jewish community leaders and faith representatives in a show of unity against antisemitism.
In Queensland, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane attended a solidarity event at Brisbane City Hall to mourn the victims and pray for the recovery of the injured.
From Bondi Beach to synagogues, state parliaments and public spaces nationwide, thousands of Australians came together to mourn the victims and reaffirm a shared commitment to reject hatred and violence, demonstrating a united, cross-community response in the wake of tragedy.
