No more words: Bondi shows why action matters

Bondi Beach on Sunday was not just a backdrop for another protest.

It became the heart of an extraordinary outpouring from Sydney’s Jewish community. More than 3,000 people came together in the heart of Waverley, the Sydney suburb home to the largest Jewish population in New South Wales.

They came to sing, to dance, to wave flags, to stand shoulder to shoulder. They came because they felt targeted, provoked, and harassed in their own community, and they refused to let it go unanswered.

Some in the media rushed to frame this as a “tense standoff.” That was not what it was. It was an act of resilience. It was our community refusing to be intimidated. As the supporters of terror gathered on Bondi Beach, waving Palestinian flags and chanting hateful, divisive slogans, the Jewish community of Sydney came in force to counter this deliberate provocation in our own backyard. They chose not to meet darkness with darkness, but instead to stand together in light, in song, and in solidarity.

This latest rally was no accident of geography. It was designed to confront our community in broad daylight, in the very heart of Jewish Sydney. And it is not the first time elsewhere. We saw it in Greenacre on 7 October 2023. We saw it at the Opera House on 9 October 2023, where antisemitic chants rang out on the steps of our most iconic landmark. We have seen it in the repeated marches and rallies through the city, in the occupation of the Harbour Bridge, and now, at Bondi Beach. These are calculated acts of intimidation staged in plain view, targeting Jewish families and neighbourhoods.

Yes, there were a couple of clashes. With thousands gathered and emotions running high, that was almost inevitable. And with so few police resources deployed, anything could have happened. I am thankful that what occurred was minimal. But that does not make it acceptable. The Police Minister could have prevented this. The Premier has not offered a single word. Once again, our community has been left to fend for itself while leaders issue statements from the sidelines.

We are also deeply grateful to the CSG (Communal Security Group) for their tireless efforts, professionalism, and dedication in keeping our community safe. Their presence and support made all the difference on the day.

What is truly appalling is that sections of the media chose to focus disproportionately on a minor scuffle rather than the extraordinary and uplifting display of unity, resilience, and community spirit that defined Bondi Beach that morning.

We are sick of words. We demand action. The federal and state governments must move beyond mealy-mouthed statements and stand up for Australian values by standing with the law-abiding Jewish community and with Israel.

That is why, at Bondi, I launched our new campaign: No More Words.

Since October 7, 2023, we have been inundated with statements of sympathy, condemnation of antisemitism, and messages of solidarity from politicians, universities, councils, even our own institutions. But words do not keep our children safe on campus. Words do not stop harassment on our streets. Words do not enforce the laws that already exist to punish hate.

No More Words will call out empty statements and highlight the gap between rhetoric and reality. Every time a politician, a university, or an institution issues words without substance, we will shine a light on it. We will demand accountability. We will insist on action.

Bondi Beach showed the strength of our community. It showed that we will not be silenced, intimidated, or pushed aside. But it also revealed, once again, the failure of leadership. The time for words has passed. Our community deserves more than sympathy. We deserve protection, respect, and meaningful support. No more words. We need action.

Michael Gencher is the Executive Director, StandWithUs Australia