Bondi Beach hit by antisemitic graffiti attack as police hunt two suspects
Bondi Beach residents woke on Saturday to new antisemitic graffiti, the latest in a series of incidents that have unsettled the local Jewish community and prompted a renewed appeal from police for information.
NSW Police confirmed officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command were called to several locations after reports of offensive graffiti. The markings were found on structures and signs along Queen Elizabeth Drive, including on the HeadOn photographic exhibition, around 2:45am on Saturday, November 29, 2025, with further graffiti reported on Ramsgate Avenue around 4am.
Antisemitic graffiti on the HeadOn photo exhibition at Bondi Beach 29-11-25 (Arsen Ostrovsky via X)
Police photographed the graffiti before council crews removed it. Detectives have released CCTV images of two suspects and are urging anyone with dashcam or home-security footage from late Friday night or early Saturday morning to come forward.
A 38-year-old man was arrested a short distance from the scene and taken to Surry Hills Police Station but was later released without charge. Police are seeking two men described as being of slim build, aged in their 20s, last seen wearing dark clothing and face coverings, walking on Campbell Street towards North Bondi.
Two men of interest to police (NSW Police)
A police spokesperson said the incidents are being investigated as possible hate crimes.
Waverley Council Mayor Will Nemesh condemned the vandalism, stating that the graffiti is “especially pernicious” and that Council will do everything in its power to assist police in catching the perpetrators.
“This form of criminal act has no place in our society. I commend the NSW Police who have commenced an investigation this morning,” Cr Nemesh said. “Council wants to make it clear that we value our Jewish community and will do everything we can to ensure our Jewish community is safe.”
The graffiti included messages written in red marker such as “fuck Israel” and “Israel commits genocide”. Human Rights Lawyer and incoming head of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Arsen Ostrovsky saw the graffiti and told the Telegraph the discovery was “disturbing” and reflective of the surge of antisemitism since October 7.
This latest case comes amid a wider rise in antisemitic vandalism across Sydney. Earlier this year, swastikas and antisemitic slurs were daubed on cars, homes and e-bikes in suburbs with large Jewish populations. In October 2024, fires were deliberately lit at two Bondi businesses, and in November 2024, vehicles were torched and graffiti was sprayed in Woollahra.
The increase in cases follows heightened tensions since the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza. Community leaders have repeatedly expressed concern about the trend, with several incidents currently under investigation under an expanded police task force, Strike Force Pearl.
Police said patrols in the area have been increased, and the investigation into the Bondi Beach graffiti continues.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
I have written twice to JWire about the Head On photography competition in Sydney that was won by a photograph of many Muslims praying alongside a damaged mosque in northern Gaza with the caption FAITH AMIDST GENOCIDE with a note below the photograph explaining that the mosque was damaged by an Israeli air strike. I considered the photo and caption antisemitic and contacted the boss of the photography contest [who is Jewish] and had a very unsatisfactory reply. A friend told me she briefly saw my comment to JWire but it disappeared very quickly.
I believe the Jewish community should be aware of such antisemitic stuff.
Renee Hirsch
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