New Zealand Holocaust commemorations as antisemitism surges
January 22, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
As New Zealand observes International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Tuesday, January 27, the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand says that the “warning signs” of the 1945 atrocities are “again visible today.” Read more
‘Light will win’ on national day of mourning
January 22, 2026 by AAP J-Wire
NSW Premier Chris Minns has used the national day of mourning to thank the Jewish community for bringing the country together while still raw with grief from the Bondi terror attack.
PM shuts door on racial vilification laws after Bondi attack
Racial vilification laws called for by Jewish advocates are unlikely to be pursued after laws passed Parliament in response to the Bondi terror attack.
Heated debate in Knesset over death penalty for terrorists
January 21, 2026 by Pesach Benson
Israel’s Knesset National Security Committee on Tuesday advanced preparations for legislation that would expand the use of the death penalty for convicted terrorists, holding a charged debate that exposed deep divisions between security officials, legal authorities, lawmakers, and bereaved families. Read more
Neo-Nazi and Hizb ut-Tahrir target new hate speech laws
January 21, 2026 by AAP J-Wire
New hate speech laws are facing a potential legal challenge from a prominent neo-Nazi, just days after the legislation passed federal parliament.
Jewish leaders welcome new antisemitism legislation passed by federal parliament
January 21, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Australia’s federal parliament has passed the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, with Jewish community leaders describing the legislation as an important and overdue response to rising antisemitism and extremist activity.
Events for National Day of Mourning – Thursday 22 January
January 21, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Australia will observe a National Day of Mourning on Thursday, 22 January, to honour the 15 people killed in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack during a Chanukah celebration in December, with commemorations taking place nationwide and communities encouraged to take part in shared acts of remembrance and unity.
Police question Netanyahu aide Yonatan Urich in ‘BibiLeaks’ investigation
January 20, 2026 by Pesach Benson
Yonatan Urich, a close adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was summoned for police interrogation on Monday as part of an expanding investigation into the leak of classified military documents to a German newspaper. Read more
Hate crimes reforms secure bipartisan backing as parliament fast tracks laws after Bondi attack
January 20, 2026 by J-Wire with AAP
The federal government has secured crucial bipartisan backing for hate speech reforms, with the coalition declaring in principle support for legislation aimed at cracking down on antisemitism in the wake of the December 14 terrorist attack at a Jewish Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach.
Israel begins dismantling UNRWA’s Jerusalem headquarters
This morning (Tuesday), Israeli security forces began to evacuate and destroy the UNRWA (UN Relief Works Agency) headquarters on Ammunition Hill in northern Jerusalem. Read more
Jewish teenagers targeted in St Kilda East ute attack
January 20, 2026 by David Marlow
Just three days before the National Day of Mourning for the victims of last month’s antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, a group of Jewish teenage boys were targeted with an antisemitic attack by the occupants of a white ute.
Yarden Bibas marks slain son Kfir’s third birthday
Yarden Bibas, whose family became a symbol of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas kidnappings, has marked what would have been his murdered son’s third birthday with a wrenching Instagram post. Read more
Parliament honours 15 killed in Bondi Beach terror attack
Australia’s parliament fell into silence on Monday during a condolence motion in the House of Representatives, confronting the human cost of the antisemitic terror attack that killed 15 people at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025.
Holocaust Remembrance Day to focus on generational responsibility
January 19, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Australia’s annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration will be held next Tuesday, 27 January, hosted by the Sydney Jewish Museum in partnership with the Australian Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants.
Australia to ‘respectfully’ consider Gaza board invite
January 19, 2026 by AAP
Anthony Albanese will consider an invitation from Donald Trump to join the US leader’s Gaza peace board. Read more
US names Rubio, Tony Blair, Kushner to Gaza board
January 18, 2026 by Agencies
The White House has announced some members of a so-called “Board of Peace” to supervise the temporary governance of Gaza, which has been under a fragile ceasefire since October. Read more
‘Light will win’: Australia prepares for national day of mourning to honour Bondi victims
January 18, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Australia will pause this Thursday, January 22, for a National Day of Mourning to honour the victims of the December 14 Bondi Beach terrorist attack. Read more
Hate speech laws could be ‘salvaged’ after backdown
January 18, 2026 by AAP
Despite criticising Labor’s proposed hate speech laws as unsalvageable, the coalition is looking to get elements passed in an emergency session. Read more
ECAJ considers contempt action over extremist Islamic preacher’s video
January 17, 2026 by Rob Klein
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) is exploring contempt of court proceedings against Islamic preacher Wisam Haddad. This follows allegations that he violated a federal injunction regarding antisemitic statements in a recent online video.
Spielberg should use his ‘big platform’ to censure Mamdani’s views, ZOA president says
January 16, 2026 by JNS
Morton Klein, national president of the Zionist Organisation of America, criticised filmmaker Steven Spielberg for reportedly meeting privately with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, arguing that the visit legitimised a person who has gone out of his way to make his anti-Israel views known. Read more
Pahlavi’s vision for ‘free Iran’: Israel recognition, no nukes
January 16, 2026 by Joshua Marks - JNS
Exiled crown prince and prominent opposition leader Reza Pahlavi has outlined his vision for a post-Islamist Iran, as nationwide anti-government protests stretch into their third week. Read more
Labor remains open to ‘other ideas’ on hate speech laws
January 16, 2026 by AAP
The prime minister is making a last-ditch bid for bipartisan support for sweeping hate speech laws after failing to win backing from the coalition or the Greens.
Albanese faces pressure from religious groups over hate speech laws
January 16, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
A coalition of faith leaders has urged the Prime Minister to reject a deal with the Greens on proposed antisemitism laws.
Waverley Council awards Keys to the City to heroes of Bondi Beach terror attack
January 16, 2026 by Rob Klein
Waverley Council has unanimously agreed to award Keys to the City to three people who intervened during the December 14 terror attack at Bondi Beach, while also resolving to seek posthumous national honours for those killed trying to stop the gunmen.
‘Who Is a Jew’ Bill fails Knesset preliminary vote
January 15, 2026 by Pesach Benson
The Knesset on Wednesday rejected a controversial bill seeking to redefine who may be registered as Jewish in Israel’s population registry, dealing a blow to an initiative backed primarily by Orthodox (Haredi) lawmakers. Read more
From disinvitation to apology: Abdel-Fattah and the Adelaide Festival fiasco
The new board of the Adelaide Festival has issued an unreserved apology and issued an invitation to Palestinian-Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah to Writers’ Week 2027, reversing a controversial January decision that led to the event’s collapse.
ECAJ calls for compromise on hate speech laws
January 15, 2026 by J-Wire Staff
Australia’s peak Jewish body has warned against a wholesale rejection of the federal government’s proposed hate speech legislation, as both the Coalition and the Greens signal they will not support the bill in its current form.
Neo-Nazi’s defiant vow in bail bid over ‘rhetorical rape’ charge
January 15, 2026 by AAP
A former lieutenant of Australia’s neo-Nazi network has distanced himself from the group amid claims he called for the “rhetorical rape” of a politician. Read more
Israel plans return to Venice Biennale
January 15, 2026 by Rob Klein
Israel will take part in the 2026 Venice Biennale, confirming its return to the world’s most prominent contemporary art exhibition after its national pavillion was closed during the 2024 event amid protests.
Waverley Council to consider fate of Bondi footbridge used in terror attack
January 15, 2026 by Rob Klein
The future of the pedestrian footbridge at the centre of the Bondi Beach terror attack will be debated by Waverley Council tonight (Thursday), as community division continues over whether the structure should remain, be removed, or be replaced.
