NSW Police scrutiny over Bondi terror attack security failures during Chanukah by the Sea event
Consensus Summary
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion’s interim report scrutinizes NSW Police’s response to the December 14, 2025, terror attack at Bondi Beach during the Chanukah by the Sea event, which killed 15 people and injured over 40. Both sources confirm that police officers were instructed not to stay the entire duration of the event, despite repeated warnings from the Jewish security agency CSG NSW about a 'high' threat level. The commission found no written risk assessment was produced, and NSW Police acknowledged officers had assessed threats but provided only mobile patrols. NSW Premier Chris Minns accepted all recommendations, while critics like Dr Dvir Abramovich argue the response was inadequate and that antisemitism must be treated as a national security emergency. The attack was linked to ISIS-inspired gunmen, with one suspect killed and another charged with multiple murders.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Bondi terror attack occurred on December 14, 2025, during the Chanukah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and injuring over 40.
- The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion released an interim report on April 30, 2026, examining security arrangements for the event.
- NSW Police officers assigned to the event were told in an email three days before the attack: 'No need to stay the entire duration, but your presence will ensure the community feel safe.'
- Community Security Group NSW (CSG NSW) requested police resources 'for the entirety' of the Chanukah by the Sea event on December 8, 2025, citing a 'high' threat level.
- NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated that officers had assessed possible threats to the event and that there was a 'roving' police presence in the area before the attack.
- The Royal Commission report noted that NSW Police did not produce a written risk assessment for the Chanukah by the Sea event.
- The attack was described as 'ISIS-inspired,' with suspects Sajid Akram (killed at the scene) and his son Naveed Akram (charged with 15 counts of murder and one terrorist attack).
- NSW Premier Chris Minns accepted all recommendations related to the state government and stated: 'We didn’t do that [protect people] on December 14 last year.'
- The interim report made 14 recommendations, including extending NSW Police procedures for Jewish High Holy Days to other high-risk Jewish festivals.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Governor-General Sam Mostyn received Commissioner Virginia Bell’s interim report.
- The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO, Michele Goldman, stated NSW Police had 'significantly increased' its presence at high-risk Jewish events.
- Yanky Super, a Hatzolah volunteer, pressed his radio’s duress alarm at 6:42pm, one minute before NSW Police notified NSW Ambulance of the attack, and still has 300 pieces of shrapnel in his back.
- Mal Lanyon said: 'There were police presence on that occasion, there had been a risk assessment and there were certainly roving police throughout the area on the evening.'
- The Chanukah by the Sea event was one of three significant Hanukkah celebrations held on the same night.
- The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had 'publicly and repeatedly' warned of heightened terrorism risk and 'disturbing escalation' of antisemitic incidents between August 2024 and December 2025.
- The operations inspector for Eastern Suburbs PAC wrote: 'No need to stay the entire duration, but your presence will ensure the community feel safe.'
- The report stated NSW Police 'received no specific request for dedicated police resources' for the event, despite CSG’s warnings.
- Dr Dvir Abramovich of the Anti-Defamation Commission said: 'It terrifies me. Because it confirms the one thing every Jewish Australian already knew in their gut: the danger was real, it was rising, and it was seen and still, fifteen innocent people were slaughtered.'
- The Eastern Suburbs PAC’s operations inspector had access to CSG’s warnings and declared the festival a 'major event' but later instructed officers to provide only a 'HVP presence' without requiring full attendance.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states NSW Police 'did not produce a written risk assessment for the event,' while NEWSCOMAU does not explicitly contradict this but emphasizes that officers had assessed threats and there was a 'roving' presence, implying some level of assessment was conducted.
- NEWSCOMAU claims NSW Police 'received no specific request for dedicated police resources,' while ABC states CSG NSW 'requested police assistance to ensure community safety' and that police were told to provide 'static resources' for the event.
Source Articles
NSW Police face scrutiny over patrols of Bondi terror attack event
NSW Police officers assigned to patrol the Hanukkah celebration targeted in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack were told they did not need to "stay the entire duration" of the event, despite members of the Jewish community fearing it was at risk.
‘No need to stay’: Shock Bondi police order
Initial findings from the commonwealth investigation probing the Bondi terror attack has revealed how NSW Police responded to the Jewish community’s safety concerns.