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The Australian state of New South Wales proposes to ban the public display of Islamic State group flags or extremist symbols after a mass shooting motivated by anti-Semitism, killed 15 people at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
According to bills to be debated by the state legislature, publicly displaying the IS flag or symbols of other extremist groups will be an offense punishable by up to two years in prison and fines.
State Premier Chris Minns also said “let’s globalize the Intifada” slogans would be banned and police would be given more powers to demand protesters remove their masks during demonstrations.
“Hate speech or incitement to hatred has no place in our society,” Minns said Saturday.
The Arabic word intifada translates as “uprising”.
While pro-Palestinian protesters say the slogan describes global protests against the conflict in Gazawhich has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, Jewish leaders say it is stoking tensions and encouraging attacks against Jews.
“Recent horrific events have shown that the slogan ‘globalize the Intifada’ is hate speech and encourages violence in our community,” Minns told reporters. “You are engaging in a very risky racket if you consider using that expression.”
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NSW politicians are expected to debate the reforms on Monday after the Prime Minister recalled Parliament.
Police said Sunday’s attack, targeting a Hanukkah celebration on Australia’s most famous beach, was “a terrorist attack”. inspired by (the) Islamic State Police said they found two homemade IS flags in the vehicle used by the two suspects.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed to introducing measures combat radicalization and hatred, including by expanding the definition of hate speech offenses for preachers and leaders who promote violence, and toughening penalties for such crimes.
The proposals would also designate certain groups as hateful and allow judges to consider hatred as an aggravating circumstance in cases of online threats and harassment.
Albanese also announced its intention to strengthening Australia’s already strict gun laws.
The Prime Minister, who joined the Jewish community at the Great Synagogue in Sydney on Friday, said “the spirit of our Australian Jewish community is completely unbreakable”.
“No matter how dark things were and continue to be, the light will triumph,” he added.
Authorities said the country would hold a national day of reflection on Sunday, the last day of Hanukkah, to honor the victims.
Flags will be flown at half-mast from all official buildings, and Albanese will join others in Bondi on Sunday to observe a minute’s silence at 6.47pm, the time police first received reports of gunfire.
Police and community leaders also highlighted the actions of Ahmed Al Ahmed, a man of Syrian descent, who helped people flee the scene during the attack.
An Australian company has 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
