Call Me Back – EMERGENCY EPISODE: Deadly Attack in Sydney

With Jeremy Liebler, Nomi Kaltmann, and Nadav Eyal

Host: Dan Senor
Date: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This emergency episode responds to the deadly attack on Sydney’s Jewish community during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Host Dan Senor is joined by Jeremy Liebler (president, Zionist Federation of Australia), journalist and lawyer Nomi Kaltmann, and Israeli journalist Nadav Eyal. The discussion delves into the attack’s facts, the broader context of antisemitism in Australia and globally, potential foreign orchestration, the Australian government's response, community anguish, and what the future holds for Australian Jewry.

1. The Deadly Attack in Sydney (04:32 – 07:49)

• Summary of the event:
  On Sunday, December 14, at approximately 6:45pm local time, two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, killing at least 16 people and wounding nearly 40.
• Nature of the attack:
  The event was a public menorah lighting, attended by around 1,000 people, run by Chabad of Bondi.
• Victims:
  Ages ranged from 10 to 87. Two rabbis and a child were among those killed. One victim was a Holocaust survivor.
• Perpetrators:
  A 24-year-old Muslim man of Pakistani origin and his father. Both were neutralized; details about motive and status are emerging.
• Australian gun laws context:
  Gun violence of this nature is almost unheard of in Australia since major reforms after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

“Gun violence of this nature in Australia is unheard of… So to have gun violence of this nature is deeply shock, shocking to obviously the Jewish community, but to all Australians.” – Nomi Kaltmann (05:49)

2. Antisemitism in Australia: Rising Threats and Shifting Reality (07:53 – 11:12)

• Historical context:
  Australia was seen as a safe haven, especially post-Holocaust.
  Jewish Australians have generally felt safe, integrated, and able to thrive.
• Changing atmosphere:
  Increased antisemitism and overt hate have become more frequent and violent since October 7, 2023.

"All of these developments and increased antisemitism are unprecedented in the history of Jews living in this country." – Nomi Kaltmann (07:53)

• Shock and resignation:
  Communities are "horrified and devastated... but not shocked," reflecting a sense of inevitability due to recent trends.

3. Suspicions of Orchestrated Global Antisemitism (11:12 – 15:42)

• Nadav Eyal reports on Israeli defense assessment:
  There is evidence (not merely suspicion) of nation-state actors—Russia, China, Turkey, and Qatar—artificially amplifying antisemitism through social media "bots," human assets, and opinion shapers.

“There is a shift since the end of the war. ...They’re focusing now on Jews. ...What they're saying is that only a power—and they specifically mention Russia, China and Turkey or a nation state, specifically mentioned Qatar—can do that.” – Nadav Eyal (11:12)

• Organic vs. engineered hate:
  Not all is coordinated, but official Israeli belief is that "much is artificially enhanced."

• Australian context:
  Iran-linked operations (e.g., arson at a synagogue) led to the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador.

4. The Jewish Community’s Experience of Isolation and Fear (17:10 – 21:54)

• Post-Holocaust community dynamics:
  Australian Jews, heavily post-Holocaust and pro-Zionist, saw a dramatic shift after October 7, 2023.

“We got a sense as to what the world would be like for Jewish people without a state of Israel and without an IDF.” – Jeremy Liebler (17:54)

• Under siege and exposed:
  Massive anti-Israel and antisemitic demonstrations outpace the Jewish population.
• Marshalling support:
  Despite governmental failures, there is strong non-Jewish support and outrage at the attack.

5. Foreign Interference and Weak Government Response (20:33 – 23:11, 32:18 – 34:39)

• Foreign influence:
  Significant suspicion and some evidence of state-sponsored infiltration, funding, and organization within pro-Palestinian protest movements.
• Government response:
  Both Jeremy and Nomi are critical of the Australian government’s failure to adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward antisemitism.
• Contrast:
  Australia was extremely strict during COVID-19 or with certain immigration policies, leading to a "why not now?" debate.

“If you were in Australia during the COVID 19 pandemic, you found out what it means when Australia says, we are not going to tolerate anything in any form... So when Australia wants to be tough, Australia can be ruthless and tough.” – Nomi Kaltmann (34:00)

6. Leadership, Policy, and the Demand for Change (38:38 – 43:18)

• Calls for leadership:
  Jewish leaders demand action and rhetorical clarity, not just legal measures.
• Laws vs. leadership:
  Even with strict hate speech laws and increased security spending, community safety and solace have not been achieved.

“Ultimately this is really about leadership. It's less about what was said and it's more about what has not been said.” – Jeremy Liebler (39:07)

• Signs of possible change:
  Hopes for a government inflection point are tempered by skepticism regarding political will.

7. Identity, Aliyah, and the Future of Jewish Life in Australia (43:18 – 47:16)

• Aliyah considerations:
  There is an uptick in Australian Jews contemplating or making aliyah (immigration to Israel), but it remains a deep, ideological aspiration as much as a response to fear.
• Community ethos:
  Australian Jewry is distinctively proud and Zionist.
• Challenges for those unable/unwilling to leave:
  Not all Jews can make aliyah; the community must find ways to help those who remain.

“I believe there are far more reasons to make aliyah that are connected to being able to live a full Jewish meaningful life right in the third Jewish Commonwealth than there are push factors connected to anti Semitism.” – Jeremy Liebler (44:41)

8. Community Optimism vs. Despair: The “Lucky Country” in Question (47:16–52:05)

• Historical pride and current disillusionment:
  The attack is seen as a possible turning point, with fears that the "lucky country" that welcomed Jews may be lost.

• Quote from Tal Becker:

  “It seems to emerge from a mixture of unchecked immigration of really radical elements, an epidemic of woke politics... and a system that doesn't know what evil is or is too afraid to act decisively against it. ...the country that raised me... feels lost to me.” – Tal Becker (47:16)

• Hope for reversal:
  Nomi Kaltmann expresses cautious optimism that Australia "might go back to the lucky country" with the right leadership.

9. Reflections from Israel and Global Jewish Perspective (52:05 – end)

• Diaspora’s value:
  Nadav Eyal argues for intrinsic Jewish life in the Diaspora, not just as a reservoir for aliyah.
• Israel’s obligation:
  The Israeli response should not be paternalistic or politicized—listen to what diaspora Jews need, even if it is simply "to shut up" and stand back at times.
• Foreign reaction and hypocrisy:
  The Qatari government's carefully worded, non-specific condemnation of the attack is cited as emblematic of cynicism.

“There is an intrinsic meaning to life not only in Eretz Yisrael. ...Diaspora communities are important for our identity, for our meaning, even for our survival. We need them to prosper, and we need to start giving back.” – Nadav Eyal (53:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On feeling vulnerable:

  “We have felt under siege, like many Jews globally over the last two years. We felt isolated and we felt exposed. And I think this is now the culmination.” – Jeremy Liebler (00:09)

• On zero tolerance:

  “If the Australian government doesn't wake up and do something drastic now... there is no future for Jewish people in this country.” – Nomi Kaltmann (38:00)

• On orchestrated hate:

  “They're focusing now on Jews... this is an artificial attempt to basically enhance hatred towards Jews, towards Israelis…” – Nadav Eyal (11:12)

• On government failures:

  “Mistakes have been made and now is the moment, this is the moment now for our government. Are they going to recognize the significance of the events of the last 12 hours...?” – Jeremy Liebler (31:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Attack Summary and Context: 04:32 – 07:49
• Historical Safety & Community Shock: 07:49 – 11:12
• Foreign Orchestration of Antisemitism: 11:12 – 15:42
• Community Reaction and Isolation: 17:10 – 21:54
• Australian Government and Security Response: 32:18 – 34:39
• Aliyah and Future of Australian Jewry: 43:18 – 47:16
• Reflections on Optimism and Despair: 47:16 – 52:05
• Diaspora’s Role and Israel’s Response: 52:05 – End

Final Thoughts

The conversation ends with unity amid crisis—a mutual commitment by diaspora communities and Israel to stand together against hate. While some guests remain hopeful for renewal and reform in Australia, all acknowledge the profound rupture this attack represents, and the critical need for both leader-led change and steadfast communal identity.

The podcast is a testament to the resilience of a vibrant but shaken community, grappling openly with trauma, belonging, and their uncertain future in a country once considered the safest in the world for Jews.