The Australian state of New South Wales plans to classify the phrase “globalise the intifada” as hate speech, as authorities move to tighten extremism, protest, and gun laws following the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the government would recall state parliament next week to fast-track tougher hate-speech legislation and firearms restrictions in response to the Bondi shooting, which killed 15 people and injured dozens.
The attack occurred last Sunday at Bondi Beach, where two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish cultural festival in a crowded public area. Authorities said the suspects were motivated by Islamic State ideology. Both attackers were killed.
The shooting marked Australia’s worst mass-casualty attack since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which claimed 35 lives and led to sweeping national gun reforms.
Premier Minns confirmed his government intends to formally designate the chant “globalise the intifada” as hate speech under NSW law.
The term intifada is historically associated with Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation beginning in 1987. While some interpret the phrase as a call for violent action against Jewish people, others describe it as a form of political or civil resistance. NSW officials say the context in which the slogan has recently been used warrants legal restriction.
Minns has also flagged changes to public protest laws, saying the state should encourage “a summer of calm” following heightened tensions and security concerns.
Minns announced plans to seek a Royal Commission into the Bondi attack, a rare step that would allow a broad inquiry into intelligence failures, policing, and extremism prevention.
At the federal level, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled a new gun buyback program targeting surplus, illegal, and newly banned firearms. The government expects hundreds of thousands of weapons to be surrendered and destroyed nationwide.
About 1,000 lifeguards formed a human line along Bondi’s shoreline on Saturday in tribute to the victims, while surf lifesaving teams at beaches across the country held similar memorials. Hundreds of swimmers and surfers also paddled into the ocean to form a large commemorative circle.
Surf lifesaving volunteers were praised for their actions during the attack, including lifeguard Jackson Doolan, who was photographed running toward the scene from a neighboring beach carrying emergency medical supplies.
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Earlier in the week, Minns and NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane attended the funeral of Matilda, a 10-year-old girl who was the youngest victim of the shooting.
Australia will observe a national day of reflection on Sunday, exactly one week after the attack. Flags will be flown at half-mast, and citizens are being asked to light candles in their homes.
A minute’s silence will be held at 6:47 p.m. local time, marking the moment the attack began.
“Sixty seconds carved out from the noise of daily life, dedicated to 15 Australians who should be with us today,” Albanese said on Saturday. “It will be a moment to reflect and affirm that hatred and violence will never define us.”