Australia: Bondi Beach Attack to Heighten Security Concerns, Community Tensions in Near-Term

Communal friction, particularly in the form of Jewish-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric, will probably intensify, raising the threat of isolated violence. Protests by multiple blocs are likely to occur across Sydney and may also be present in other cities, with related localized disruptions and sporadic confrontations possible. Although there is a minimal threat of widespread violence, travel advisory changes, business disruptions, and intensive counter-terror measures are likely through early January, particularly around festive and New Year gatherings. Sustained security operations and calibrated community engagement are likely to moderate security threats in the medium term.

Furthermore, Australia's national terrorism threat level is assessed as "Probable,” indicating a "greater-than-50-percent chance that a terrorist attack or planning for an attack could occur on Australian soil within the next 12 months.” That baseline, combined with the attack's symbolic targeting of a high-visibility Jewish celebration in a crowded public space, raises the likelihood of opportunistic or low-sophistication follow-ons. Intensified checks around religious venues, transport nodes, malls, and large outdoor gatherings are therefore likely in the coming days and weeks. 

Antisemitic and anti-Muslim incidents have trended upward since regional conflicts in the Middle East, particularly the Israel-Hamas conflict, amplified grievance ecosystems. Retaliatory acts of vandalism, harassment, or assaults against synagogues, schools, mosques, community centers, and visible community members, are more likely in the coming weeks.  

The attack will likely galvanize short-notice vigils, solidarity marches, and counter-protests organized by Jewish community groups, interfaith coalitions, and activist networks; pro-Palestinian and counter-extremism blocs may stage parallel actions. Crowd convergence around symbolic sites will create a heightened risk of scuffles, object-throwing, and low-level assaults; police will almost certainly deploy heavily to monitor such events. Employers near protest corridors should plan for ad hoc access controls, staff movement delays, and public transport disruptions, particularly during evening peaks and weekends.  

In the coming weeks, concern over the threat of follow-on attacks and associated social and communal tensions will likely remain sharply elevated. The balance of risk will hinge on three drivers, namely the speed and clarity of official disclosures about the attackers, devices, and motives; the breadth of visible protection around communal and soft targets; and the tone and spacing of vigils and protests. If police maintain saturation policing of event venues, risks will likely stabilize at an elevated baseline. Conversely, if additional arrests, incendiary political messaging, or online disinformation gain traction, copycat/retaliatory incidents and clashes between opposing protest groups become more likely. Overall, heightened security measures will cause intermittent disruptions in the coming weeks but are unlikely to significantly interrupt travel or business operations. 

If you are aware of an active shooter in your vicinity, there are a limited number of options to take to preserve life: these are to run, hide, or fight.
 

Run

• If it is safe to do so and there is considerable distance from the active shooter, move as quickly as possible away from the sound of the shots; try to place solid objects between you and the area you have left.
• If the active shooter has entered your building and there is another exit (and it is safe to do so), leave the building as quickly as possible and move to a safer area. If there is not a clear, safe exit, look for a secure place to hide away from the direction of the active shooter.
• If there are other people with you, take them; however, do not stay, wait, or search for others.
• If your phone is close at hand, take it, but leave all other belongings behind.  
• Once you are in a safe place, call emergency services and provide as much information as possible about the active shooter, including details of the event and location.
• When you approach the police or incident response teams, do exactly what they say. Place your arms in the air with palms stretched out flat, walk slowly, and make no sudden movements. The police will be assessing who is and who is not a threat.
   

Hide

• If you are unsure of the location of the active shooter in your building (and the building is structurally sound and you are not in extreme danger), quickly locate a secure room which can be locked and obscured from view.
• If possible, and you have time, lock the door and block the entrance with large heavy items.
• Leave the light off. Close any blinds and stay away from windows that can be investigated from within.
• Silence your phone.
• Call emergency services when it is safe to do so, providing your location and as much information as possible. If you cannot speak, leave the phone open and allow the operator to listen.
• Do not come out from hiding until you are completely sure emergency services have secured the building. In most cases, active shooter situations only last around 10 to 15 minutes before police arrive.
   

Fight

Only as an extreme last resort to preserve life.

• If you are unable to run or hide (and only when your life is in imminent danger), then, as a last resort, action may be required to preserve life.
• Commit aggressively to incapacitating or disrupting the active shooter using makeshift weapons such as chairs, coat stands, etc.
• If you are with other people, you will have a better chance of incapacitating the shooter if you all work together.  
   

When the Emergency Services Respond

• Do not run toward the police; they may still be assessing who and where the active shooter is. Instead, walk slowly toward the police with your arms above your head with palms out and open.
• Remove any backpacks and place them on the floor when instructed.
• Do exactly what the police tell you to do; the police have set procedures in dealing with unknown personnel in an incident.
• The police may present as rough or aggressive. This is a normal posture to maintain security until they have established a safe environment.
• If the responding police enter the building, they will not stop for injured personnel but continue with the goal of apprehending the active shooter. Other emergency services will attend once the area is cleared and deemed safe by the police.

Learn more about leveraging intelligence to help organizations stay ahead of risks to their people and operations—and explore Crisis24’s four-phased approach to active assailant preparedness.