During Monday’s Senate tributes to the December 14, 2025, Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack—where two Islamic State-inspired gunmen killed 15 and wounded over 40—Greens Senator Nick McKim stated that Jewish Australians won’t be safe from antisemitism until Muslim Australians are safe from Islamophobia, and no one will be until Australia reconciles with its colonial history.
The remarks, made as parliament debated condolences and security measures like hate speech laws, prompted sharp online criticism from conservatives who called them tone-deaf amid grief over the antisemitic violence.
While leaders like Prime Minister Albanese vowed to fight antisemitism and praised a Muslim bystander’s heroism, McKim’s words highlighted tensions in addressing hate after Australia’s deadliest terror incident.
