At the site of a terror attack in Sydney: A woman called a community leader an 'Evil Zionist' - and will face trial
Six months after the terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, a 67-year-old woman has been charged for hurling antisemitic remarks at Jewish leaders at the memorial site. The incident occurred as Australia's Royal Commission into Social Cohesion held hearings on the rise of antisemitism in the country.
Another antisemitic incident has occurred in Sydney, specifically at Archer Park, the memorial site for the terror attack at Bondi Beach, where 15 people were murdered during a Hanukkah event last December. A 67-year-old woman confronted a delegation of Jewish community leaders who were hosting players and senior officials of the 'Sydney Swans' football club, who had arrived to hear the testimony of a survivor and express solidarity with the Jewish community.
According to the New South Wales Police, officers were called to the scene on Wednesday afternoon. Following an investigation, an indictment was filed against the 67-year-old Bondi resident for using offensive language in a public place and making antisemitic remarks. She is scheduled to appear in court in Waverley on September 23.
The delegation was led by Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the ECAJ, the umbrella organization of Australian Jewry. According to Ryvchin, upon identifying him, the woman asked, 'Why are there Zionists here?', and subsequently called him an 'Evil Zionist'. The remarks were made in the presence of a survivor of the attack, who had been shot at that exact spot months earlier.
'Even on normal days this is a despicable statement, but to say it in this place, at this time, and in the presence of a survivor — this is something that cannot be tolerated,' Ryvchin stated.
Archer Park has become a deeply painful symbol for Australian Jewry since the terror attack in December 2025. The site serves as a memorial where survivors, families, and public figures pay their respects. The incident was perceived by the community as a stark illustration of the depth of antisemitism in the country.
Ryvchin, who thanked the New South Wales Police for their swift response, added:
'We will not allow the desecration of such a holy site, and we will not allow the poison of anti-Zionism to serve as a cover for antisemitism.'
The incident occurred during a critical week, as Australia's Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion held public hearings in Melbourne. Testimonies highlighted the worsening situation, ranging from Jewish students fearing to wear school uniforms off-campus to a dramatic increase in security costs for Jewish institutions. The commission is expected to continue its hearings in Sydney on Monday.
