The Australian state of New South Wales is proposing to ban public displays of Islamic State group flags or extremist symbols after a mass shooting driven by antisemitism killed 15 people at Sydneyâs Bondi Beach.
Under draft laws to be debated by the state Parliament, publicly displaying the IS flag or symbols from other extremist groups will be offenses punishable by up to two years in prison and fines.
The stateâs premier, Chris Minns, also said chants of âglobalize the intifadaâ will be banned and police would be given greater powers to demand protesters remove face coverings at demonstrations.
âHate speech or incitement of hatred has no place in our society,â Minns said Saturday.
The Arabic word intifada is translated as âuprising.â
While pro-Palestinian demonstrators say the slogan describes the worldwide protests against the conflict in Gaza, which has killed over 70,000 Palestinians, Jewish leaders say it inflames tensions and encourages attacks on Jews.
âHorrific, recent events have shown that the chant âglobalize the intifadaâ is hate speech and encourages violence in our community,â Minns told reporters. âYouâre running a very risky racket if youâre thinking of using that phrase.â
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
New South Wales politicians are expected to debate the reforms on Monday after the premier recalled parliament.
Police said Sundayâs attack, targeting a Hanukkah celebration on Australiaâs most famous beach, was âa terrorist attack inspired by (the) Islamic State â group. Police said they found two homemade IS flags in the vehicle used by the two suspects.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to introduce measures to curb radicalization and hate, including broadening the definition of hate speech offenses for preachers and leaders who promote violence, and toughening punishments for such crimes.
The proposals would also designate some groups as hateful and allow judges to consider hate as an aggravating factor in cases of online threats and harassment.
Albanese has also announced plans to tighten Australiaâs already strict gun laws.
The prime minister, who joined the Jewish community at Sydneyâs Great Synagogue on Friday, said âthe spirit of our Jewish Australian community is completely unbreakable.â
âNo matter how dark things were, and continue to be, light will triumph,â he added.
Authorities said the country will hold a National Day of Reflection on Sunday, the final day of Hanukkah, in honor of the victims.
Flags will be flown at half-mast from all official buildings, and Albanese will join others at Bondi on Sunday to observe a minute of silence at 6:47 p.m., the time when police received the first reports of gunfire.
Police and community leaders have also pointed to the actions of Ahmed Al Ahmed, a Syrian-born man, who helped people flee the scene during the attack.
An Australian business listed a fundraiser on GoFundMe that has raised more than $2.5 million for Bondi hero Ahmed al Ahmed, who tackled one of the perpetrators to the ground.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
About the Author
