Yves right here. John Helmer, who has appreciable experience in analyzing info administration (witness amongst many examples, the poisoning of the Skripals and the downing of MH17), is trying on the preliminary narrative stakes being put within the floor for the Bondi mass taking pictures. Other than the authorized and political query “Was or wasn’t it terrorism?” is the unhealthy look of an ISIS connection, on condition that America’s new bestie in Syria is former ISIS chief and now president Abu Mohammad al-Julani, who had rebranded himself below his delivery title, Ahhmed Hussein al-Sharaa. Helmer additionally factors out that Muslims in Australia drastically outnumber sometimes secular Jews, however have been usually disenfranchised, notably with respect to Palestine’s pursuits.
Helmer is how official tales, meant above all for residence audiences, are being cooked. However there are additionally novice efforts. See as an example:
Pretend AI picture used to say Bondi Seashore taking pictures was staged BBC
Bondi Seashore ‘hero’ misinformation first printed by faux information web site BBC
Professor Mohammed Marandi described lengthy type, on the prime of a current interview at Dialogue Works, that Salafis and Wahhabis like ISIS hate Iran, so the concept Iran had something to do with these killings is a fabrication.
By John Helmer, the longest constantly serving international correspondent in Russia, and the one western journalist to direct his personal bureau impartial of single nationwide or industrial ties. Helmer has additionally been a professor of political science, and an advisor to authorities heads in Greece, america, and Asia. He’s the primary and solely member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to ascertain himself in Russia. Initially printed at Dances with Bears
There’s a line in Capturing the Previous, a 2004 movie by the London filmmaker Stephen Poliakoff, wherein the main character, who runs a big historic picture archive, asks whether or not it’s potential for {a photograph} to seize a lie popping out of the mouth of a liar. The character isn’t certain.
He hadn’t studied the neuropsychology of interrogation researched by William Marston, inventor of the polygraph, and Paul Ekman, the psychologist of facial expressions whose strategies had been dramatised within the US tv collection, Deceive Me. These two claimed lies could be detected by mechanical or digital data.
In politics and battle, mendacity is a weapon and so it’s closely camouflaged. It could possibly defeat the reality by methods that stop proof and the courtroom requirements for reasoning and judgement from controlling the narrative. The Bondi Seashore assault on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, is an instance. Hearken to the hour-long podcast with Nima Alkhorshid to grasp what has occurred.
Supply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jRTZLLve8o
The proof
In a press convention on Monday (December 15) with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, the state police commissioner Mal Lanyon reported that within the gun assault of the day earlier than, 16 folks had been killed, 42 wounded. He stated he had “decided that it was a terrorist exercise and made a declaration as such at 9.36pm. Because of that declaration, we commenced Operation Arques, which is a joint counterterrorism operation.”
The attackers had acted alone, the police official stated. When requested for proof of motive, ideology, associations, notes, or different proof of terrorism, Lanyon refused to say. “Because of investigations undertaken, I can say that we aren’t on the lookout for an additional offender. We’re glad that there have been two offenders concerned in yesterday’s incident. One is deceased, the second is in crucial however secure situation in hospital for the time being. The offenders are a 50-year-old and 24-year-old male who’re father and son…The 50-year-old male is a licenced firearms holder. He has six firearms licenced to him.”
The daddy has been formally named as Sajid Akram; he was shot useless by police in the course of the assault. His son, Naveed Akram, was wounded and has survived in hospital.
In accordance to Prime Minister Albanese, “what we noticed yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location, Bondi Seashore.”
Premier Minns stated: “There isn’t a tolerance for racism or Jewish hatred in New South Wales or Australia. And we must be clear and unambiguous that we are going to combat it in every single place we see it, whether or not it’s damaging, horrible acts of violence or likelihood mottos and web posts on the web. Wherever it’s, we have to combat antisemitism.”
Lanyon was requested what proof the police had gathered for any of the conclusions the politicians had been making.
“There are stories a black ISIS-style flag was draped over the gunmen’s automobile,” a reporter requested. “Are police conscious of this? Has a flag been recovered?
Supply: https://www.information.com.au/nationwide/nsw-act/two-heroes-slain-trying-to-disarm-gunman/news-story/b080b58c76c615f1592f7a524109db89
“COMMISSIONER LANYON: That’s all a part of the investigation. As I simply stated earlier than, I’d moderately not touch upon that proper for the time being. Clearly, we are going to have a look at the motives behind this assault and I feel that’s actually necessary as a part of the investigation. Our investigation shall be thorough and we shall be completely satisfied to supply additional info.” “Is there something you possibly can inform us about ideology? COMMISSIONER LANYON: At this stage, no, I gained’t touch upon that. We’ll proceed to work by that. That’s a part of the investigation, to grasp the motives behind it.” “Did they go away any manifesto or notes? COMMISSIONER LANYON: Once more, that’s a part of the investigation. I don’t need to go into that this morning. We’ve received investigators which were working across the clock. I’m extremely happy with the work that has been undertaken up to now. We need to resolve this. We need to perceive the motives behind it and we definitely need to perceive the actions which have occurred. I can’t give a operating commentary on the investigation. I need to give the investigators time to work by this correctly.”
The Australian state media had reported earlier on Monday that the Australian Safety Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) “had examined one of many Bondi Seashore gunmen six years in the past over his shut ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State (IS) terrorism cell… Investigators from the Joint Counter Terrorism Workforce (JCTT), a unit comprised of state and federal businesses, consider the gunmen had pledged allegiance to the IS terrorist group. Two IS flags had been discovered of their automobile at Bondi Seashore, in line with senior officers talking on situation of anonymity. One flag might be seen in footage from the scene on the bonnet of the automobile. A senior JCTT official, talking on situation of anonymity, stated ASIO took an curiosity in Naveed Akram six years in the past after police foiled plans for an IS terrorist assault.”
Police Commissioner Lanyon refused to substantiate the 2019 proof or its interpretation of a hyperlink between the 2 Akrams and a global terrorist organisation on the Australian authorities record. “Was there any indication that the shooters had been recognized to any service forward of time? COMMISSIONER LANYON: There was no indication to point that both of the lads concerned in yesterday’s assault was planning the assault that occurred yesterday.”
The Australian and Philippines border businesses have confirmed that final month Sajid Akram had visited Manila with an Indian passport, and that his son Naveed was accompanying him on an Australian passport. They spent most of November, these sources stated, in Mindanao.
Images of Sajid Akram (left) and Naveed Akram (proper) from the assault scene on December 14. Sajid was university-educated; his occupation in Sydney has not been reported. Naveed was a bricklayer by commerce.
The Indian police, who monitor anti-state terrorist organisations carefully, have confirmed that Sajid Akram was “initially from Hyderabad, migrated to Australia in November 1998 seeking employment. He accomplished his B. Com diploma in Hyderabad earlier than shifting overseas. He later married a girl of European [Italian] origin and settled completely in Australia. The couple has two kids, Naveed and a daughter, each born in Australia, and holding Australian citizenship. The police quoted his kin in India as saying that Sajid Akram maintained restricted contact along with his household over the previous 27 years and visited India solely six instances, primarily for family-related issues resembling property points or to see his aged dad and mom. He was not in India even on the time of his father’s demise. Stories point out that they had been impressed by ISIS ideology. The members of the family expressed no data of his radical thoughts set or actions, nor circumstances that led to his radicalisation. The police clarified that there isn’t any connection between the radicalisation of the father-son duo in India or Telangana, and that Sajid Akram had no hostile file with Telangana Police previous to his migration.”
The regulation
Each federal and state legal guidelines outline terrorism in Australia. In New South Wales (NSW) the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002, Part 3, says a “terrorist act means an motion the place—“(b) the motion is finished with the intention of advancing a political, non secular or ideological trigger, and (c) the motion is finished with the intention of– (i) coercing, or influencing by intimidation, the federal government of the Commonwealth or a State, Territory or international nation, or of a part of a State, Territory or international nation, or (ii) intimidating the general public or a piece of the general public.”
Homicide, together with mass homicide, isn’t terrorism in line with this regulation. Neither is “advocacy, protest, dissent or industrial motion, and isn’t meant–(i) to trigger critical hurt that’s bodily hurt to an individual, or (ii) to trigger an individual’s dying, or (iii) to hazard the lifetime of an individual, aside from the particular person taking the motion, or (iv) to create a critical threat to the well being or security of the general public or a piece of the general public.”
Federal Australia regulation applies this statutory definition of terrorism to a scheme for compensating Australians who’re the victims of terrorism outdoors the nation. This scheme is named the Australian Sufferer of Terrorism Abroad Fee (AVTOP). Since 2001, a complete of fifty terrorism incidents have been designated formally, however no whole sum of the cash paid out has been reported to parliament or printed. The AVTOP terrorist designation is a political choice by the prime minister; there was no public dialogue or parliamentary vote to authorize the prime minister. For instance, the deaths of 38 Australians on Malaysia Airways Flight MH17 over japanese Ukraine in July 2014 weren’t designated a terrorism motion as a result of the Australian authorities believed they resulted from civil battle or interstate battle circumstances. Click on to learn extra.
Against this, in October 2023 Prime Minister Albanese designated the Hamas offensive in opposition to Israel a terrorist motion, following a lobbying marketing campaign by the Jewish neighborhood in Australia.
In April 2024, the Canberra authorities introduced that an Arab Australian had been killed by Israeli motion in Gaza. The international minister’s assertion stated: “The dying of any assist employee is outrageous and unacceptable. All through this battle, Australia has referred to as for restraint, for the safety of civilians and protected and unimpeded entry for humanitarian help. The Australian Authorities condemns this strike. The Authorities has made representations to the Netanyahu Authorities and seeks a radical and expeditious overview.”
Terrorism utilized to Hamas was not utilized to Israel.
Supply: https://www.transparency.gov.au/publications/services-australia/services-australia/services-australia-annual-report-2018-19/part-8percent3A-services-for-people-needing-other-support/8.2-current-events For the statute authorising the train of political discretion by the prime minister to determine between “terrorism”, “homicide”, and “battle”, click on. A “legislative instrument”, in line with these statutes, could be not more than an order or dedication signed by the official; the textual content could also be categorized secret.
The political narrative
President Donald Trump didn’t name the Bondi incident a terrorist motion. He did say it was antisemitic, however not like Albanese’s assertion, Trump appeared to differentiate between terrorism and antisemitism. He additionally put the Australian incident into worldwide context by mentioning assaults within the US and in Syria.
“Hiya, all people,” Trump started a Christmas reception on the White Home on December 14. “That is so nice. And, uh, earlier than we start, nonetheless, I need to simply pay my respects to the folks. Sadly, two are not with us. Brown College, 9 injured. And, uh, two are trying down on us proper now from heaven. And, uh, likewise in Australia, as , that was a horrible assault. 11 useless, 29, badly wounded. And that was an anti-Semitic assault, clearly. And it, uh, I simply need to pay my respects to all people. I need to say in, uh, Syria additionally. We had, uh, an assault in Syria and we had, uh, three nice patriots terminated by unhealthy folks and never the Syrian authorities. It was ISIS. Syrian authorities fought by our aspect. The brand new president fought by our aspect. However, uh, I simply need to pay my respects to the households. We additionally had three, uh, injured, however, uh, two of them are already out of the hospital and one’s, uh, going to be okay. However we misplaced three. So it was a tough, it was a tough day. However to Australia and, uh, the Prime Minister, to all people that we all know so nicely, we get together with so nicely. We have now an amazing relationship. That’s a horrible state of affairs happening over there. Consider that. And, uh, Brown College, nice college. Nice s- — nice, actually one of many biggest colleges anyplace on the earth. Issues can occur. So, uh, to the 9 injured, get nicely quick. And to the households of these two which are not with us. I pay my deepest regards and respects from america of America.
Israeli authorities statements claimed that Australian authorities recognition of the Palestinian state and countrywide protests in opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza had been antisemitic incitement to the Bondi violence. Talking in a video broadcast, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: “On August 17, about 4 months in the past, I despatched Prime Minister Albanese of Australia a letter wherein I gave him warning that the Australian authorities’s coverage was selling and inspiring antisemitism in Australia. Your name for a Palestinian state pours gas on the antisemitic hearth. It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those that menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets. Antisemitism is a most cancers. It spreads when leaders keep silent; it retreats when leaders act. I name upon you to interchange weak spot with motion, appeasement with resolve. As an alternative, Prime Minister, you changed weak spot with weak spot and appeasement with extra appeasement. Your authorities did nothing to cease the unfold of antisemitism in Australia. You probably did nothing to curb the most cancers cells that had been rising inside your nation. You took no motion. You let the illness unfold and the result’s the horrific assaults on Jews we noticed right now.”
Left, textual content of Netanyahu letter to Albanese, August 17, 2025.
Centre, Netanyahu talking at Dimona, December 14, 2025. Proper, Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Nationwide Safety Minister, stated in a tweet: “Anti-Semitic terrorism is aware of no borders – however the blood of these murdered by the hands of the Australian authorities, which introduced recognition of a ‘Palestinian’ state and legitimized terrorism in opposition to Jews. I strengthen the Chabad emissaries, who proceed to behave with dedication, braveness, and a real mission, even within the face of threats and terrorism – to unfold mild. Exactly now, allow us to multiply mild, stand tall, and show: the Jewish mild is stronger than the darkness, and its victory is inevitable.”
The official Russian Authorities response was issued on Monday at about the identical time because the Australian prime minister’s press convention in Sydney.
“It was with deep sorrow that the information of the terrorist assault in Sydney in the course of the celebration of Hanukkah within the Bondi Seashore space was perceived. We strongly condemn the barbaric extremist assault, which resulted in 15 harmless civilians, together with a ten-year-old lady, had been killed, dozens had been injured. Because it grew to become recognized, among the many victims of the terrorist assault, sadly, there are our compatriots who’re completely residing in Australia. We’re invariably in favour of the uncompromising combat in opposition to terrorism in all its varieties and manifestations. We name for the joint efforts of all international locations of the world to collectively rebuff this barbarism. We specific our deep sympathy and honest condolences to the households and buddies of the victims, want a speedy restoration to all of the victims of this horrible crime.”
Zakharova’s reference to the Chabad Lubavitcher organisation as “our compatriots” seems to disregard the anti-Russian, anti-Soviet and anti-Christian historical past of the Chabad motion; its engagement on the Ukrainian aspect within the present battle; and the position that the Chabad financier, Igor Kolomoisky, has performed within the Azov navy operations within the Donbass.
High: left, the emblem of the Chabad-Lubavitcher organisation exhibits breaking the chains of Russia; proper, Kolomoisky on the opening of the Chabad Menorah Centre in Dniepropetrovsk in 2012. Backside: Vladimir Zelensky’s assembly with thirty Chabad rabbis in Kiev, September 2023.
The New Orleans Truck Assault of January 2025
On January 1, 2025, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a former US Military sergeant who had transformed to Islam, rammed his truck into pedestrians, killing 14 and injuring 57. Two of the injured had been Israelis. The FBI dominated there was no international terrorist affiliation, ideology, or organizational hyperlink, though a black Isis flag was connected to the rear of Jabbar’s truck.
The Israeli International Minister on the time, Gideon Saar, tweeted: “Deeply saddened by the terrorist assault in New Orleans. My heartfelt condolences exit to the households of the victims. Wishing a swift restoration to the 2 injured Israeli residents and all of the wounded… Terror has no place in our world.”
The political context in Australia
The Jewish inhabitants of Australia is estimated in current censuses to be about 117,000 however with the decline in total numbers has come a major disaffiliation from Jewish faith and from identification with Israel. The Chabad-Lubavitcher motion goals to reverse this development and proselytise for better non secular observance and Israeli identification.
The census proof just isn’t solely that Australian Jews are primarily situated in Melbourne (Victoria) and Sydney (NSW), however that inside these two cities, they’re concentrated in a handful of suburbs. The Bondi Seashore space, for instance, has been residence to about one-quarter of Sydney’s Jews.
The Muslim inhabitants of Australia is roughly ten instances the Jewish inhabitants, numbering nearly 1 million, rising quickly, and with a median age below 35, considerably youthful than the Jews, whose median age is 44. As with the Jews, the Muslims are concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne, and inside these cities, they comprise unusually tight communities.
Supply: https://www.unisa.edu.au/contentassets/4f85e84d01014997a99bb4f89ba32488/australian-muslims-final-report-web-nov-26.pdf
The political implications are apparent: the rising Muslim vote is coming from the younger in households who’ve sought refuge in Australia from wars of their homelands which had been waged by the US, Israel, and their allies, together with the Australian navy. In ten Victorian and NSW electorates, for instance, the Muslim vote is so excessive, starting from greater than 10% to nearly 40%, that it may swing election outcomes decisively. By comparability, Jewish voter focus is marginal in all however 4 Sydney and Melbourne electorates; in these, the Jewish share ranges from lower than 6% to 16.2%.
Supply: https://www.unisa.edu.au/contentassets/4f85e84d01014997a99bb4f89ba32488/australian-muslims-final-report-web-nov-26.pdf
In the interim, the Muslim Australians discover themselves disenfranchised at election time similtaneously they’re compelled by authorities coverage to pay for Australian’s navy alliance with Israel and the US. In addition they consider there’s extreme Jewish affect within the Australian media leading to anti-Muslim ideology and Islamophobia dominating public debate.
That is race hate — and there’s reportedly rather more of it in Australia than what Israel, the Jewish diaspora, and native politicians are calling antisemitism. That is the documented discovering of analysis sampling of the mainstream and social media and printed in February 2024.
Supply: https://lens.monash.edu/australian-medias-instagram-posts-on-gaza-war-have-an-anti-palestine-bias-that-has-real-world-consequences/ Parallel analysis has documented the bias of comparable pro-Jewish, anti-Muslim ideology within the US and Canadian media.
