CyberWell Statement on Antisemitic Attack Targeting Hanukkah Celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach

CyberWell is horrified by the attack on Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah. We are further disgusted by the surge of hatred and incitement that has followed across social media platforms, particularly in the comments section.

Our monitoring team observed dehumanizing mockery of the victims, including the new use of antisemitic imagery and GIFs such as pigs and soap bars to avoid detection, alongside explicit calls for further violence and statements telling Jews to “go to hell” in the comments section. We are also seeing a dangerous denial narrative online that blames the Jewish community itself, falsely labeling the attack a “false flag” or “Mossad” operation, orchestrated to divide Australians. In reality, initial evidence point to Iran-backed terrorism.

The response to this vicious act of terror requires action – action that not only addresses violent antisemitism offline, but stops the continued normalization and amplification of hatred and calls to violence in the online universe.

CyberWell unequivocally condemns this attack and stands in solidarity with the victims and their families. We will continue to provide real-time compliance insights to our partners to ensure that the platforms do not act as an echo chamber encouraging additional violence against this small community.