UPDATE: A tense stand-off erupted at Bondi Beach on July 23, 2023, as pro-Israel and Palestinian protest groups clashed during a paddle-out event supporting Gazans affected by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The scene escalated quickly, with both sides shouting across a line of officers who were deployed in large numbers to separate the two groups.
Pro-Palestinian activists organized the paddle-out, inviting “surfers, Bondi residents, and Palestine supporters” to participate in what they described as a peaceful gathering. However, the event drew significant opposition from local pro-Israel groups, particularly the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), which labeled the paddle-out as “provocative” due to Bondi’s substantial Jewish population.
“The whole suburb of Bondi is on edge; everyone is nervous,” AJA Chief Executive Robert Gregory told Seven News before the event. He further claimed that many pro-Palestinian protesters were “troublemakers coming from outside the area,” escalating tensions among the local community.
Adding to the controversy, Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh attempted to block the paddle-out by reaching out to NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley, emphasizing concerns over public safety. Despite these efforts, organizers maintained that their event was intended to be peaceful and non-confrontational.
Michelle Berkon, a representative from the group Jews Against the Occupation, countered the AJA’s claims, asserting that pro-Israel groups “have no right to claim Bondi is their backyard.” This sentiment highlights the deep divisions within the community as the conflict in the Middle East continues to resonate globally.
As the situation develops, authorities remain on high alert, and the community is bracing for potential further protests. Observers are advised to stay away from Bondi Beach as tensions remain high. More updates will follow as this story unfolds.
