Sydney — Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, has written to Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, warning that Australia’s failure to clearly identify radical Islam as the ideological driver of recent violence undermines efforts to combat terrorism and protect the Jewish community.
In a letter released following the deadly Bondi Beach attack, Chikli said Israel stands ready to assist Australia at what he described as a critical moment. He cited Israel’s extensive experience in confronting radical Islamic terrorism and antisemitism, and offered direct cooperation, including the training of Australian security personnel in Israel.
“Israel stands ready and willing to assist Australia at this critical juncture,” Chikli wrote. “We bring extensive experience in combating radical Islamic terrorism and antisemitism.”
Chikli’s letter criticized the Australian government’s public response to the attack, arguing that senior leaders have avoided naming the ideological source of the violence. He said this reluctance weakens the country’s ability to prevent future attacks.
“The fact that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong have failed to clearly name the source of this violence, radical Islam, undermines the ability to confront it,” Chikli wrote.
According to the Israeli minister, effective counterterrorism begins with honest identification of the threat.
“The first step in fighting terrorism and antisemitism is precise diagnosis, not merely focusing on the weapons used, but on the extremist ideology responsible for the violence,” he stated.
Chikli also emphasized the responsibility of the Australian government to protect its Jewish citizens, warning that public tolerance of extremist rhetoric has real-world consequences.
“The Jewish community expects the Australian government to ensure its safety, just as it does for every Australian citizen,” he wrote.
He specifically referenced slogans heard at recent protests and demonstrations, arguing that they should not be dismissed as symbolic or rhetorical.
“When crowds are permitted to chant slogans such as ‘from the river to the sea’ and ‘globalise the intifada,’ the consequences should not be dismissed as abstract or rhetorical,” Chikli said.
The letter included an offer for Israel to provide training for Australian security personnel in counterterrorism, intelligence analysis, and the protection of Jewish communal institutions. Israeli officials have previously shared such expertise with allied nations facing threats linked to radical Islamist ideology.
Chikli traveled to Australia shortly after the Bondi Beach attack, saying he wanted to stand in solidarity with the country’s Jewish community. During his visit, he participated in a solidarity event in Bondi hosted by the Australia-Israel & Jewish Affairs Council and the Australian Jewish Association, according to organizers.
The event was held at Chabad Bondi and was attended by former Australian prime ministers Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison, both of whom have previously spoken out against antisemitism and in support of the Jewish community.
Jewish leaders in Australia have welcomed Chikli’s visit and remarks, saying they reflect growing frustration within the community over what they view as insufficient government clarity in addressing extremist threats. Community representatives have repeatedly warned that antisemitism in Australia has intensified since October 2023, with Jewish institutions facing heightened security concerns.
Australian officials have not publicly responded in detail to Chikli’s letter. The Home Affairs Ministry has stated it continues to work with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to address extremism and protect vulnerable communities.
The exchange underscores a broader international debate over how Western governments address terrorism and antisemitism, particularly when ideological motivations intersect with political sensitivities. Israeli officials have increasingly urged allies to adopt clearer language and firmer policies, arguing that ambiguity enables radicalization and endangers minority communities.
For Australia’s Jewish community, Chikli’s message was seen as both a warning and an expression of solidarity at a moment of heightened anxiety.
