The Monocle Daily — December 15, 2025

Main Theme:
This episode examines the international diplomatic fallout following the mass shooting during a Hanukkah commemoration at Bondi Beach, Sydney, with a focus on Israel’s combative reaction. The panel also discusses the outcomes of Ukrainian–Russian negotiations in Berlin, Belarus’s release of political prisoners, Chile’s dramatic political pendulum swing, and the dubious claims about Christmastime kindness.

1. Israel’s Response to the Bondi Beach Shooting

*Guest: Julie Norman, Associate Professor at UCL and co-author of Gaza: The Dream and the Nightmare
(00:05–06:57)

Key Points:

• The shooting at a Hanukkah event in Bondi Beach left 15 dead and dozens injured, prompting worldwide sympathy for Australia—except from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Netanyahu used the tragedy to publicly criticize Australian PM Anthony Albanese’s move to recognize Palestine, claiming Australia was soft on antisemitism.

• “He is not shy about playing the politics on this one.”
  —Julie Norman (01:54)

• Norman asserted this rhetoric mainly played to Netanyahu’s domestic audience and reflected an increasingly hardened attitude in Israel since October 7, 2023.

• “The fact that he has brought that into this moment… just shows that he is not shy about playing politics.”
  —Julie Norman (01:54)

• There is widespread sentiment in Israel (and among Jewish communities in the West) that other countries, including Australia, have not treated antisemitism seriously enough.
• Albanese has chosen not to engage with Netanyahu's accusations, focusing instead on managing the domestic aftermath of the attack.

• “[Albanese] was wise to just not get into it.”
  —Julie Norman (06:06)

• Early reports suggest one perpetrator was ISIS-linked, predating recent Israeli–Palestinian politics.

Memorable Quotes:

• “You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country. You took no action.”
  —Benjamin Netanyahu, quoted by Andrew Muller (04:12)

• “Trying to link this to Australia’s politics on Israel is very much exploiting this moment.”
  —Julie Norman (05:26)

2. Netanyahu’s Tactics and Impact on Israel’s Allies

Panel: Marta Lorimer & John Everard
(06:57–09:33)

• John Everard emphasized Netanyahu’s statement as “red meat” for his political base, claiming he prefers confrontation over statesmanlike sympathy.

  “Given where Netanyahu is coming from, it is entirely comprehensible.”
  —John Everard (07:33)

• Marta Lorimer argued this rhetoric targets Israeli domestic audiences but is unlikely to shift the stance of international allies, especially as criticism of Israel is steadily increasing.

  “I don’t think it’s going to help anyone... this all feeds into his narrative that basically Israel is being unjustly persecuted.”
  —Marta Lorimer (08:52)

3. Ukraine–Russia Negotiations in Berlin

(09:33–16:39)

Key Points:

• Berlin talks on Ukraine yielded only “productive” diplomatic language—interpreted as a lack of substantial progress.

  “‘Productive’ means nothing. Whatever it means, we’ve been sitting around a table talking, and you don’t want to come out saying, actually, we got nowhere.”
  —John Everard (10:08)

• Ukraine’s willingness to forgo joining NATO is less significant than it once was, given US ambiguity on NATO commitments.

• The territorial dispute over Donetsk and surrounding areas remains the main deadlock; both Ukraine and Russia are politically boxed in.

  “The 10% is what you really, really fight over... it’s going to be very difficult for Ukraine to make concessions... and for Russia, why did they go into this in the first place?”
  —Marta Lorimer (13:26)

• All parties lack trust, including Kyiv toward Washington. Any potential “peace deal” is hampered by mutual skepticism—security guarantees are not believed.

  “There is no trust whatever between Kyiv and Moscow... and the security guarantees... aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.”
  —John Everard (14:10)

• The US commitment to Ukraine is no longer seen as solid, especially with Donald Trump’s administration perceived as seeking quick deals, potentially under Russian influence.

  “They can no longer trust the United States... and Europe’s backing is not really worth it because the Europeans are squabbling.”
  —Marta Lorimer (15:41)

4. Belarus Releases Political Prisoners

(16:39–22:21)

Key Points:

• Belarus freed 123 political prisoners—including Nobel laureate Alice Bialiatsky and several opposition figures—in exchange for a visit by Trump’s special envoy, some waivers on US sanctions, and the prospect of improved relations.

• “He is as cunning and wily and closely focused as ever is. For him, this deal is a major achievement.”
  —John Everard on President Lukashenko (17:38)

• The release should be viewed as a calculated move by Lukashenko—seeking legitimacy and attempting to show independence from Moscow.

• The motive behind the US engaging Belarus is unclear—perhaps aiming to pry Belarus away from Russia or use Lukashenko as a backchannel.

  “I still struggle to understand the motives behind the United States decision to engage with Lukashenko at all.”
  —Marta Lorimer (19:57)

• The European Union’s reaction was minimal; they were likely not consulted, and could block any US–Belarus deal.

  “The silence from the European Union... is deafening.”
  —John Everard (21:19)

5. Chile’s Political Pendulum — Boric to Kast

(22:21–27:56)

Key Points:

• Chile’s presidential runoff saw the left-wing Boric replaced by his former opponent, ultra-conservative Jose Antonio Kast, illustrating a dramatic “pendulum” swing.

  “What I think is striking about Chile is... how large the pendulum is.”
  —Marta Lorimer (23:18)

• Cast’s rhetoric—and admiration for the past—mirrors the “Make … Great Again” trend.

• However, much of his agenda is familiar from past center-right governments; dramatic promises (like a border wall) will face practical obstacles.

  “I’m wishing him very good luck with [the border wall].”
  —John Everard (24:54)

• The broader theory that modern elections are the future vs. the past is discussed; Lorimer notes radical right parties often weaponize “future nostalgia.”

  “They’re promising to go back to this idealized past, but this is... a future-oriented promise.”
  —Marta Lorimer (26:53)

6. Does Christmas Really Make People Kinder?

(27:56–31:18)

Key Points:

• The panel wryly discusses dubious holiday research claiming more kindness at Christmas.
• Marta Lorimer jokes “if anything, Christmas awakens violence in me,” especially after hearing festive songs repeatedly. (28:54)
• John Everard mocks the idea that supporting local pubs is truly virtuous (29:30).

• Both agree that self-reported virtue is unreliable, especially at Christmas.

  “People are not gonna tell you, ‘No, I’m actually really evil.’”
  —Marta Lorimer (30:44)

7. Rob Reiner’s Passing & Legacy

(31:18–32:55)

• Short tribute to the late filmmaker Rob Reiner, remembered for classics like When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, and his role in This is Spinal Tap.
• Clip from Spinal Tap’s iconic “turn it up to 11” scene is played.

• “Why don’t you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number...?”
  —Rob Reiner as Marty DiBergi (32:27)

Notable Quotes by Segment

Israel & Bondi:

• “He is not shy about playing the politics on this one.” (01:54, Julie Norman)
• “Trying to link this to Australia’s politics on Israel is very much exploiting this moment.” (05:26, Julie Norman)

Ukraine & Russia:

• “‘Productive’ means nothing. Whatever it means, we’ve been sitting around a table talking, and you don’t want to come out saying, actually, we got nowhere.” (10:08, John Everard)
• “The 10% is what you really, really fight over.” (13:26, Marta Lorimer)

Belarus:

• “He is as cunning and wily and closely focused as ever is. For him, this deal is a major achievement.” (17:38, John Everard)
• “The silence from the European Union... is deafening.” (21:19, John Everard)

Chile:

• “You cannot really establish a dictatorship. You are going to get different social measures that are going to appeal to different parts of the population.” (23:18, Marta Lorimer)
• “They’re promising to go back to this idealized past, but this is... a future-oriented promise.” (26:53, Marta Lorimer)

Christmas Kindness:

• “If anything, Christmas awakens violence in me.” (28:54, Marta Lorimer)
• “I know people who regularly go down and drink eight pints in the local pub. I mean, true self-sacrifice.” (29:30, John Everard)
• “People are not gonna tell you, ‘No, I’m actually really evil.’” (30:44, Marta Lorimer)

Rob Reiner tribute:

• “Why don’t you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number...?” (32:27, Rob Reiner as Marty DiBergi)

Summary Table of Timestamps

| Segment | Time | |---------------------------------------|-----------| | Israel & Bondi Shooting Analysis | 00:05–06:57| | Panel Reactions (Netanyahu) | 06:57–09:33| | Ukraine–Russia Berlin Talks | 09:33–16:39| | Belarus: Political Prisoner Release | 16:39–22:21| | Chile Election Pendulum | 22:21–27:56| | Christmas Kindness Debate | 27:56–31:18| | Rob Reiner Tribute | 31:18–32:55|

Tone & Style:
As always, the panel mixes sharp political analysis with wry humor, maintaining a brisk, dry-witted tone throughout. The conversation is rigorous yet accessible, occasionally irreverent, and laced with skepticism—especially regarding self-reported seasonal virtue.

This summary provides a comprehensive yet lively guide to the episode, complete with key arguments, memorable moments, and representative quotes for anyone who missed the broadcast.