UPDATE: The City of Sydney has just revised its New Year’s Eve tribute to honor the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach Chanukah massacre following significant backlash from Jewish leaders. The original plan to project a white dove and the word “peace” onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been amended to include a menorah, acknowledging the victims’ Jewish identity.
This urgent change comes after nearly 30 prominent Jewish figures expressed their concerns in an open letter to Lord Mayor Clover Moore, highlighting the need for a tribute that recognizes the antisemitic nature of the attack. The massacre, which occurred on December 14, shocked the nation and raised alarms about rising antisemitism in Australia.
The initial proposal was met with swift criticism, as community leaders argued it failed to honor the victims as Jews who were targeted for their faith. The signatories of the letter included notable figures such as Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks and Academy Award-winning producer Emile Sherman. They declared, “It is insulting to strip our friends and family, who were killed for being Jews, of the dignity of being recognized as Jews in their death.”
Media representatives Ben Adler and Danny Ben-Moshe underscored the importance of this recognition, stating that generic calls for peace have often minimized Jewish concerns regarding increasing antisemitism. They expressed that the New Year’s Eve celebrations are not just a local event but a global spectacle watched by millions, making it crucial to acknowledge the Jewish identity of the victims.
In the wake of the backlash, Lord Mayor Clover Moore officially confirmed the inclusion of a menorah in the tribute, which will now take place during a minute of silence at the Sydney Harbour fireworks. The symbolic gesture aims to unify the community and address the pressing need for public acknowledgment of antisemitism in Australia.
Adler emphasized the significance of this decision, stating, “The Sydney NYE fireworks are watched by millions nationally and hundreds of millions globally. This is a unique opportunity for Australia to demonstrate its support for the Jewish community and to confront the rising tide of antisemitism.”
This revised tribute is seen as a critical step in addressing the broader societal challenge of recognizing and confronting antisemitism in Australia. As Adler and Ben-Moshe articulated, “Only when we clearly name the problem of anti-Jewish hatred in Australia can we hope to overcome it.”
The New Year’s Eve tribute is set to be a moment of reflection not just for the Jewish community, but for the entire nation, as it comes less than three weeks after the tragic attack. As Sydney prepares for its iconic celebrations, the world will be watching to see how Australia stands against hatred and supports its diverse communities.
For more updates, stay tuned as this story develops.
