THE tragic attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday illustrates how transnational terrorist outfits, such as the self-styled Islamic State group, still have the capacity to radicalise individuals across the globe. The apparent target of the suspects — a father and a son — was an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
While the crimes of the Israeli state are undoubtedly horrendous, these can never be a justification for the targeting of innocent people of the Jewish faith. According to media reports, the surviving gunman — the father was shot dead by security personnel at the crime scene — was at one time ‘examined’ by Australian intelligence for alleged links to IS, but not charged. Both shooters had reportedly pledged allegiance to IS.
Violent extremism is a challenge in Muslim-majority states, as well as in non-Muslim countries. Terrorist groups like IS and Al Qaeda exploit the persecution of Muslims, such as the genocide in Gaza, or past Western occupation of Muslim states, such as in Afghanistan and Iraq, to radicalise individuals.
In non-Muslim societies, other factors are also at work, such as marginalisation and racism, which could prompt individuals to take the extremist path. To prevent tragedies such as the Bondi attack, Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries must work together to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation and deradicalisation efforts.
Moreover, the main triggers for radicalisation — such as the massacres in occupied Palestine, the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Syria, etc — must be addressed. Furthermore, vicious attacks such as these should not be used to delegitimise the just Palestinian liberation struggle. Attempts are being made by Israel’s rulers to link the horrible episode with Australia’s recent recognition of the Palestinian state. Such false narratives must be confronted and exposed.
Moreover, tragedies like the Sydney attack should never be exploited to fuel Islamophobic narratives or anti-migrant rhetoric. It must be remembered that if the suspected perpetrators in Sydney are of Muslim backgrounds, then Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the man who confronted one of the shooters, was also a Muslim migrant in Australia. He has been described as a ‘hero’ by Australian officials, for helping save perhaps numerous lives due to his courage.
It is essential that governments and communities work together against terrorism. Letting hate divide communities would be a victory for terrorist groups such as IS, as well as far-right extremists in the West and elsewhere who seek to demonise Muslims, migrants and people of colour.
There should also be stringent checks on who can purchase firearms. The Australian government is reportedly considering tightening gun laws. This is the right thing to do. Closer CT coordination is necessary on an urgent basis, while in the long term, credible deradicalisation programmes, and addressing the root causes of extremism can help prevent such violent episodes.
Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2025
