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Bondi Beach terror strike: Surge of antisemitism spans multiple ideological lines

Father-Son terrorist duo Sajid and Naved while firing at Bondi Beach in Australia

Column

By Ruchika Kakkar

On December 14, a mass shooting took place at Bondi Beach in Sydney during the Hanukkah celebration, attended by members of the Jewish community. At least 16 people were killed and at least 39 injured, when two gunmen – a father-and-son duo, Sajid Akram (50), of Pakistani origin, and Naveed Akram (24), from the city’s south-west – deliberately targeted Jewish attendees.

Sajid Akram was killed by the Police, while Naveed Akram is in custody. Authorities also discovered and safely removed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the scene.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as a terrorist act fueled by hate, describing it as an “act of evil anti-Semitism.”

The incident underscores the rise of anti-Jewish sentiments worldwide. Within Australia, on July 4, 2025, around 20 pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the Israeli-owned Miznon restaurant on Hardware Lane in Melbourne, chanting “Death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).

On January 21, 2025, a childcare centre in Maroubra, Sydney – a non-religious facility located near a synagogue and Mount Sinai College Jewish school – was targeted in an arson attack. The building was set alight, causing extensive damage, and walls were sprayed with antisemitic graffiti, including phrases like “Fuck the Jews.”

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry reported 1,654 anti-Semitic incidents from October 2024 to September 2025.

On the other side of the globe, on October 2, a violent incident occurred in Manchester, United Kingdom (UK), targeting Jewish worshippers during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

As Second Sight noted, a terrorist attack took place outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester, resulting in the deaths of two members of the Jewish community and injuries to another three.

The attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, 35, was a British citizen of Syrian origin. Several lesser anti-Semitic incidents were also reported across the UK in August and September. In the United States (U.S.), in early June at Boulder, Colorado, Mohamed Sabry Soliman targeted a pro-Israel solidarity gathering using Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower, injuring several people.

In May, two Israeli Embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were fatally shot outside Washington’s Capital Jewish Museum as they left a young diplomats’ event; the suspect, Elias Rodriguez, was arrested after reportedly shouting “Free Palestine.”

Earlier, on April 13, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Cody Balmer threw Molotov cocktails into the residence of Governor Josh Shapiro, a Jewish public official, causing extensive damage, while the Governor and his family were inside during Passover; Balmer was arrested and later pleaded guilty.

In Germany, on January 2, a 19-year-old Syrian asylum seeker stabbed a 30-year-old Spanish tourist from behind at the Holocaust Memorial (Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe), seriously injuring him in an attack motivated by a desire to kill Jews. The suspect was arrested at the scene and later linked to radical Islamist and antisemitic views.

A rapid surge in antisemitic violence and hatred worldwide can be directly attributed to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

This conflict served as a powerful trigger, igniting unprecedented spikes in harassment, vandalism, assaults, mass protests and online hate against Jewish communities far beyond the Middle East.

The Anti-Defamation League, for instance, reported 8,873 incidents in the U.S. in 2023 (a 140 per cent increase over 2022) and 9,354 in 2024.

The Combat Antisemitism Movement documented a global total of 6,326 incidents in 2024 (107.7 per cent rise from 2023 and 3,883 from January to July 2025. UK’s Community Security Trust recorded 4,103 incidents in 2023 (a 147 percent increase) and 3,528 in 2024.

Australia’s Executive Council of Australian Jewry noted over 2,000 incidents in the year following October 2023. And Canada’s B’nai Brith reported a record 6,219 incidents in 2024.

Legitimate criticism of Israeli policies frequently blurred into outright anti-Semitism during global protests and online discourse, with anti-Israel rhetoric often incorporating classic tropes, conspiracy theories, or calls for indiscriminate violence against Jews.

This surge of antisemitism spans multiple ideological lines, from jihadist-inspired attacks to far-left activism and far-right opportunism, highlighting how geopolitical crises can quickly amplify age-old prejudices.

Historically, Jews have often been alternately portrayed as an inferior or threatening group – a narrative that remains a core component in the rhetoric of organisations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which depict Jews as eternal religious enemies.

Extreme Right groups in the West portray Jews as secret manipulators of power; corrupt, avaricious and morally degenerate; and the architects of the ‘great replacement’, a purported conspiracy to demographically engineer the marginalization of White Christian communities by orchestrating mass immigration, among others.

These cross-ideological narratives fuel a pervasive ‘ambient’ hatred, turning Jewish communities into convenient scapegoats during times of crisis. These anti-Jewish narratives are deeply embedded in historical memory and ideological dogma, passed down from generation to generation, perpetuating harm not only to social cohesion and peace, but also threatening the security of current and future generations, and the stability of states.

(Ruchika Kakkar is Research Assistant at the Institute for Conflict Management).

Muslim clerics not in tune with military face persecution in Pakistan

Maulana Manzoor Ahmad Mengal

Islamabad, Dec 21 (NVI) In Pakistan, Muslim clerics are being selectively persecuted in mysterious manner if they do not toe the line of the military establishment, leading to suspicion over the role of the country’s notorious intelligence agencies.

In view of this kind of persecution, Pakistani Muslim clerics are contemplating to migrate to Afghanistan for safety.

Reflecting the fear and frustration, prominent Islamic scholar and head of Jamia Aisha Siddiqia in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Maymar area Dr. Maulana Manzoor Ahmad Mengal openly slammed Pakistan’s security establishment recently.

“I am tired of the government’s actions. If they no longer need our religious services or presence, then the intelligence agencies should inform us, & we will leave this country & move to Afghanistan,” Maulana Mengal said.

“If we can’t even survive through the call to prayer or leading prayers, we’ll polish the shoes of the Afghan people. Even then, we’ll manage to live,” he added.

Mengal, who is known for raising his voice for truth and defending Islamic values, expressed his views in the wake of a number of Muslim religious figures being killed in mysterious manner in Pakistan, particularly in Pashtun-dominated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Several other Islamic clerics share his feelings and views but are afraid of speaking out for the fear of being targeted by the Pakistani intelligence agencies. (NVI)

Balochistan: BLA says it killed 6 Pakistani soldiers

Quetta, Dec 20 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) today said it killed 6 Pakistani soldiers and injured 2 in three attacks in Balochistan.

The attacks were carried out on the occupying Pakistani army in Quetta, Kachi and Kech districts of Balochistan, BLA spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement.

Giving details, he said BLA freedom fighters targeted a contingent of Pakistan army with a remote-controlled IED in the Daghari area adjacent to Quetta yesterday.

The Pakistani soldiers were resting after performing security clearance of a railway track, he said.

As a result of the explosion, four occupying army personnel were eliminated on the spot, while two more were wounded, he added.

Freedom fighters of Baloch Liberation Army alsottacked a Pakistani army post in Saami, Kulag area of Kech last night, firing several rockets and using automatic weapons.

As a result of the attack, two occupying army personnel were eliminated on the spot, the spokesman said, adding the enemy also suffered property losses.

In another operation, Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters targeted a foot patrol party of occupying Pakistani army in the Kalamuddin area of Dhadar in Kachi this evening when they left their post, the spokesman said.

The freedom fighters used automatic weapons and rockets, resulting in casualties among the enemy army, he said. The details of the losses suffered by the Pakistani Army were not immediately known. (NVI)

16 Indian seafarers detained by Iran, families seek Modi’s help

Cargo ship
Cargo ship (Representative pic)

New Delhi, Dec 19 (NVI) Sixteen Indian seafarers are under detention of Iran since last 11 days after the Navy of the Persian country seized their cargo vessel on high seas for some unknown reasons, prompting their families to approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi for help in securing the release of the  detenues.

The vessel M.T. Valiant Roar, operated by Prime Tankers LLC of Dubai, was intercepted on December 8 in international waters off Dibba Port, UAE, by the Iranian Navy which directed the vessel to move to Bandar-e-Jask port of Iran and anchor off there, according to the information available.

Along with the 16 Indians, there is a national of Sri Lankan and Bangladesh each who too have been detained.

The detained Indians are from various parts of the country.

The vessel commander, Captain Vijay Kumar is from Bainswal in Uttar Pradesh.

The reason for the detention is unknown.

According to their family members, Iran has not granted even Consular Access to the detained people.

Vijay Kumar’s wife Siniya, in a letter to the Prime Minister, has said she was seeking “urgent and compassionate intervention in the matter that has caused immense distress to our entire family”.

She wrote that on December 8, her family member Capt. Vinod Panwar received a voicemail from her husband stating that the vessel was “being chased by the Iranian Navy while sailing in international waters off Dibba Port, UAE”.

She added that “through industry contacts and personal efforts, we later learned that the vessel and all crew members were subsequently escorted by the Iranian Navy and instructed to anchor off Bandar-e-Jask, Iran.”

Since that day, Siniya said, there has been no communication whatsoever from her husband or any of the crew.

“This prolonged silence has caused severe anxiety and anguish to all families involved,” Capt. Vijay Kumar’s wife wrote.

“Your timely support is our only hope during this extremely difficult and uncertain period. We place complete trust in the Government of Indiato safeguard the lives and dignity of our  seafarers,” she concluded. (NVI)

13 Pakistani Army personnel eliminated in attacks in Balochistan: BLA

Quetta, Dec 19 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed to have killed 13 Pakistani soldiers and injured 7 in two attacks on the occupation forces in Balochistan.

In one operation, BLA freedom fighters targeted a vehicle of occupying Pakistani Army using a remote-controlled IED in Katgari area of Panjgur district on December 17, said its spokesman Jeeyand Baooch in a statemen.

As a result of the explosion, four occupying army personnel were eliminated and two more were wounded, while their vehicle was severely damaged.

A day earlier, BLA fighters targeted an occupying Pakistani Army convoy at Bulbul in the Zehri area of Khuzdar district of Balochistan.

The freedom fighters ambushed the convoy after attacking one of its vehicles using a remote-controlled IED, the spokesman said.

BLA freedom fighters targeted occupying army while they were engaged in an offensive in Bulbul and surrounding areas, he said.

In this attack, nine enemy army personnel were eliminated and more than five were wounded, he said.

The freedom fighters also seized a large quantity of ammunition and weapons, including occupying army vehicles, Jeeyand Baloch said.

After suffering humiliating defeat in Zehri and surrounding areas, the occupation forces have intensified atrocities against innocent Baloch civilians, the BLA spokesman said.

“The enemy (Pakistan) army is trying in vain to hide its failures by using civilians as human shields. Its policy of conducting house raids, unjustified harassment and collective punishment is a clear example of these atrocities,” he said.

“Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters are always ready to target occupying army and every act of atrocity, oppression and aggression inflicted on the Baloch people will be held accountable.

“The occupying army should know that its military power and state violence cannot weaken the resolve of Baloch national resistance,” Jeeyand Baloch declared. (NVI)

TTP claims killing of 15 Pakistani soldiers in ambush

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) cadre in specialised gear. File pic released by TTP

Peshawar, Dec 17 (NVI) Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) tonight claimed to have killed 15 Pakistani soldiers and injured dozens in an ambush in North Waziristan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan.

In a statement, TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said two military tanks were destroyed in the ambush on a military convoy near Gulshan-e-Ada area after Fajr (morning) prayers today,

“After this, fierce face-to-face fighting began between the army and the Mujahideen, which continued until about 10 am,” he said

“Later, due to the strong insistence of national leaders and the security of the general population, the army personnel were allowed a safe passage,” he said.

Fifteen soldiers were killed and dozens were injured in this long four-hour battle, the spokesman said.

He said this attack was carried out to avenge the killing of TTP Commander Asad Shaheed Taqbalullah during a bloody gunfight with the army in Mir Ali 16 months ago back. (NVI)

Balochistan: BLA claims killing of 12 Pakistani soldiers, temporary seizure of city

Freedom fighters of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) at some unknown location (File Pic)

Quetta, Dec 16 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) tonight said it killed 12 personnel of the occupying Pakistani military and injured several others in various operations in Balochistan, including the one in which it took control of the city of Panjgur yesterday.

In a statement, it said it lost three freedom fighters in these operations.

“Yesterday, Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters took control of government buildings in Panjgur city and took positions at different locations in the city,” said the statement issued by its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch.

“The enemy (Pakistan) army tried to advance into the city but had to retreat due to the effective attacks by Baloch freedom fighters,” he said.

“During the clashes, a personnel of so-called Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) was eliminated, while two others were wounded,” the spokesman said, adding the BLA fighters maintained control for two hours, after which they returned safely as planned.

Today, Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters targeted a convoy of vehicles associated with Reko Diq exploitation project at Kalat, he said.

Three vehicles were set on fire during the operation, Jeeyand Baloch said, adding the Pakistani army personnel providing security to the convoy also suffered casualties in the attack.

Earlier, Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters targeted occupying Pakistani army at Sechi in Dasht area of Kech when it tried to advance into the area on December 14, the spokesman said.

“Prolonged clashes continued between occupying army and BLA freedom fighters, in which several occupying army personnel were eliminated and wounded,” he said.

During this, fighters also shot down a quadcopter of occupying armym, he added.

BLA freedom fighters seized vehicles carrying rations for occupying Pakistani army, along with rations on December 13 in the Mehnaz area of Buleda, he said.

The freedom fighters released the drivers after giving a warning, he added.

Earlier on December 9, four enemy army personnel were eliminated and several others sustained injuries during a clash with the occupying Pakistani army in the Sunni area of Kech, he said.

Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighter Sufi Ismail was martyred in this clash that lasted for two hours, the spokesman said.

On December 14, prolonged clashes broke out between occupying Pakistani army and Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters in the Daghari area of Quetta when fighters were traveling for organizational work, he said.

“Occupying army tried to surround the freedom fighters using civilian vehicles, to which the freedom fighters retaliated immediately,” the spokesman said.

In this clash, 7 occupying army personnel were eliminated and several others were wounded, while two Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters attained the status of martyrdom, he said.

The spokesman paid rich tributes to the fallen colleagues and said “Once again, Baloch Liberation Army makes it clear that military advances, exploitative projects and all structures facilitating the occupying state will continue to be targeted in a systematic and planned manner.

“Our operations are related to the cause of national liberation and the sacrifices of our martyrs are foundation of this struggle. Their mission will continue on every front and this journey of resistance will not stop until it reaches its logical conclusion.” (NVI)

BLA claims killing of 4 Pakistani soldiers, injuring several in ambush in Balochistan

Representative image of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

Quetta, Dec 12 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed to have killed 4 Pakistani soldiers and injured several others in an ambush here in Balochistan.

BLA freedom fighters ambushed Pakistani army vehicles at Daghari Cross in Quetta while they were en route to their post, its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement.

Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters engaged enemy army with rockets and automatic weapons, he said.

Two enemy vehicles came under attack, one of which was severely damaged by a rocket strike, the spokesman said, adding 4 enemy personnel were eliminated, while several others sustained injuries. (NVI)

Balochistan: BLA says it killed 11 Pakistani soldiers, captured one in 3 operations

Fighters of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) at some undisclosed location. File Pic

Quetta, Dec 9 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) tonight said it killed 11 personnel of occupying Pakistani military, injured at least 3 and captured one alive during three attacks in Balochistan.

BLA also lost its three freedom fighters during these attacks in Mastung, Mand and Quetta, its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement.

Giving details, he said BLA freedom fighters ambushed enemy personnel at Zehri Ghat in Dasht area of Mastung on December 7, when they were attempting to advance toward a local settlement.

In this operation, 9 occupying army personnel were eliminated on the spot and several others were wounded, he said.

The freedom fighters also succeeded in capturing one enemy personnel, Sepoy Zafarullah, the spokesman said.

During the operation, the Pakistani military used helicopters, quadcopters and surveillance cameras, but BLA fighters shot down 2 enemy quadcopters and a surveillance camera through an effective strategy, Jeeyand Baloch said.

The clash continued for more than two hours, during which BLA freedom fighter Dad Khuda Marri alias Rehan was seriously injured, he said, adding comrades tried their best to move him to a safe place, but he succumbed to his injuries.

On the same day, Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters targeted main camp of occupying army and the residence of a Colonel-rank officer in the Mand area of Kech.

Freedom fighters attacked the main gate, security posts and internal positions with rocket launchers and automatic weapons, the spokesman said.

In this operation, three occupying army personnel were eliminated and two were wounded, he said, adding the Pakistan military also suffered material losses.

During the operation, the BLA fighters also disabled quadcopter and camera used by enemy.

Last night, BLA freedom fighters attacked an enemy check post near Zarat Colony in Quetta city, causing significant damage to occupying forces, he said.

The spokesman paid rich tributes to the fallen BLA fighters, Dad Khuda Marri alias Rehan, Uzaifa Baloch alias Ganjal and Qasum Arman Baloch alias Almas, saying they remained faithful, disciplined and ideologically committed throughout their lives.

“Baloch Liberation Army pays tribute to its martyrs. These comrades were not only the vanguard of practical resistance against occupying forces but also the ideological foundation of this struggle.

“Their sacrifices declare that the Baloch national liberation movement continues to move forward with perseverance, consciousness and the blood of its sons,” the spokesman said.

“Baloch Liberation Army reaffirms its commitment to continue operations against occupying state. As long as foreign forces remain on our soil, our resistance will persist. Every fighter in our ranks will uphold the mission of our fallen comrades with unwavering resolve,” he said.

“The independence of Baloch nation is not a distant dream but an inevitable reality—and the BLA will continue its struggle for this sacred cause with full strength, clarity and determination,” he added. (NVI)

BLA says it killed 5 Pakistani soldiers, injured 3 in Balochistan

Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOQ) of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

Quetta, Dec 4 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) tonight said it killed 5 personnel of the occupying Pakistani military and injured more than 3 in two separate attacks in Balochistan since yesterday.

In one operation, BLA freedom fighters targeted the main camp of occupying Pakistani army in the Hoshap area of Kech district of Balochistan with rockets and other weapons yesterday, spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said

The rocket hit and destroyed a security post of the occupying army, he said, adding two occupying army personnel were eliminated and several others were wounded in the attack.

In another operation, Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters targeted occupying Pakistani army personnel with automatic weapons in the Shoaap area of Lijeh in Kharan last night.

Three occupying army personnel were eliminated on the spot and at least three more were wounded in the attack, Jeeyand said. (NVI)

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