We Stand With Australia
We are devastated by the horrific attack during Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where 15 innocent lives were taken and many more injured. On behalf of the entire team at Fighting Online Antisemitism, I extend our deepest condolences and unwavering support to the Jewish community in Australia. We stand with you – in grief, in strength, and in solidarity.
Why This Moment Hits Home
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, I called my family in Melbourne. Our bond has always been strong, but in recent years it has deepened – especially as they’ve followed my work at FOA. Before October 7, our conversations were about everyday life and future visits. Now, they are marked by worry: fear in their community, a growing sense of vulnerability, and the disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents. Moved to act, they even expressed a desire to volunteer with FOA – including their 19-year-old son, who has already volunteered in Israel several times. That instinct – to step forward rather than stand back – reflects something deeply familiar in Jewish history.
Australia Has Changed
Those conversations, and the urgency behind them, prompted us to look more closely. In partnership with local organizations, FOA launched a dedicated research initiative examining antisemitism and online hate in Australia.
While our full findings are still being finalized, with the support of local Jewish communities, our research already shows a sharp increase in antisemitic activity – both online and offline. October 7 marked a turning point for Australia, and our November report documented a global surge in violent online rhetoric.
We cannot afford to ignore it.
As country-specific data continues to emerge, the tragedy in Sydney is a stark reminder that online hate does not remain online. It escalates. It radicalizes. And too often, it turns into real-world violence. We cannot predict every act of terror. But by identifying threats early and tracking patterns of incitement, we can respond faster – and more effectively.
We Cannot Wait for Others to Protect Us
As history has taught us, we must take care of ourselves. Recent events have reminded us – yet again, that even when intelligence alerts exist, we cannot always rely on governments or institutions to act in time. I wake up every morning believing that fighting terror is possible. We seek out new communities to empower them to fight back. As history has taught us, we must take care of ourselves, protect our lives, and support one another.
Security agencies and police forces, no matter how capable, operate with limited reach. They cannot be everywhere – especially not in the darker corners of the digital world where radicalization often begins. The “eyes and ears” of the establishment are finite. Our communities are not. This is why we cannot wait for official bodies to shield us.
We must bridge the gap between warning and action by training civilians and community members to identify threats, monitor incitement, and intervene before violence materializes. Governments may issue alerts. But it is civil society that must build the capacity to respond. We must empower communities to act immediately – not passively wait.
Strength Beyond Numbers
The Jewish people are outnumbered. History has never hidden that truth. But history has also taught us this: our resilience has never depended on numbers alone. It has depended on unity, vigilance, and the willingness to stand up – together. It is time to train ourselves and our non-Jewish allies – to speak out, to intervene, and to protect what matters. We must become not merely subjects of protection, but guardians of our own safety.
Support When You Need It Most
Together with our partners at PlanetTherapyGlobal, we’re offering free psychological support for those affected by antisemitism or terror. Initial sessions are fully covered, with extended support available at significantly reduced rates. This help is open to anyone in need.
Final Thoughts
History has shown us the cost of complacency. It has also taught us that strength lies in unity. We may be few in number, but we are powerful in spirit.
Now is the time to stand up, speak out, and fight back – together.
With unity and strength,
