Ash Ambihaipahar (Barton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Across our country, people are grieving, searching for answers and struggling to comprehend how 15 innocent lives were taken and many people were injured at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025. That night it started off as a place of joy and celebration, and it was turned into a scene of terror. On behalf of the people of Barton, our thoughts and prayers are, first and foremost, with the families and loved ones of those who were murdered and the Jewish community. Their loss is immense, and no words offered here today can truly ease their pain, but they deserve to know that this parliament stands with them in solidarity.

This attack was not random. It was an act of terror, deliberately targeting the Australian Jewish community as they gathered together to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, a festival that symbolises light, resilience and hope. Many other cultural groups, in a similar vein, celebrate light over darkness. That such hatred was unleashed at a moment of faith and joy is deeply confronting for all Australians.

From the night of the attack, in the days that followed, I was in contact and met with the members of my local Jewish community—including Dr George Foster from the Southern Sydney Synagogue based in Allawah, who has done an amazing job to support the local Jewish community in such a challenging time. What I heard was not just sorrow, but distress—distress that simply gathering to celebrate or to be visibly Jewish in public comes with risk. That should absolutely disturb every one of us in this place. Antisemitism, along with all forms of hatred, is not something we can afford to downplay or tolerate. It is an evil hatred and has no place in Australia. As a parliament, we must be condemning it and committed to taking meaningful action to remove all forms of hatred to all community groups.

This tragedy has also touched my community of Barton. We were devastated to learn that Dan Elkayam, a football player with Rockdale Ilinden Football Club, was tragically killed in the massacre. I was able to attend Dan's funeral to pay my respects, but also to learn that he was a young French national of strong Jewish faith who made Australia his home. He truly embraced the Australian way of life. Football was Dan's passion. That passion brought him to Rockdale Ilinden Football Club, where he joined the association's premier league as a highly talented midfield player. Those who knew him described him as a down-to-earth guy and someone who was warmly embraced by everyone he met. His joyful presence, his respectful nature and his kindness will be deeply missed by his teammates and by all those who knew him. We pray for Dan, and we pray for his family as they grieve a shocking loss. My deepest condolences go to the Rockdale Ilinden football community.

I also want to acknowledge the courage of the New South Wales police officers, first responders and healthcare workers who acted with deep calm and bravery. Their actions saved lives, and they represent the very best of public service. We must also acknowledge those who were injured physically and psychologically—those who witnessed scenes no person should ever have to witness. We stand in solidarity with you. And we honour the heroes that night—everyday people who showed bravery and selflessness—including those who were wounded and those who lost their lives trying to protect others.

This House must affirm, without any qualification, the right of every Australian to live, work, practise their faith and just be in peace and safety, to gather freely without fear, to practise the culture of peace, and to participate fully in Australian life, proud of who they are and proud of the contribution their community has made to our nation. At moments like this, Australia is very much tested. We can allow hatred to divide us, or we can stand together in unity and in peace. I believe Australians and the people of Barton expect us to choose unity and peace—to confront hatred with courage, compassion and the best of the Australian spirit. For those who died on 14 December 2025, may they rest in eternal peace.

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