In the aftermath of the tragic Bondi mass shooting, John Helmer, an experienced analyst of information management, delves into the complexities surrounding the initial narratives emerging from this incident. With his track record in dissecting major events, including the Skripal poisoning and MH17 tragedy, Helmer raises significant legal and political questions about the nature of the attack. The ISIS connection poses a troubling specter, especially since the United States’ recent ally in Syria is Abu Mohammad al-Julani, a former ISIS leader who has since adopted a new identity. Additionally, Helmer highlights the demographic contrasts between Australia’s Muslim community and its Jewish population, noting the Muslim community’s significant disenfranchisement regarding matters like Palestine.
Helmer investigates how official narratives, crafted primarily for domestic consumption, are formed alongside grassroots efforts to manipulate the facts. For example:
Fake AI image used to claim Bondi Beach shooting was staged BBC
Bondi Beach ‘hero’ misinformation first published by fake news website BBC
During a recent interview, Professor Mohammed Marandi discussed how Salafi and Wahhabi factions, such as ISIS, harbor animosity towards Iran, undermining any suggestion of Iran’s involvement in the Bondi killings as nonsensical.
By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears
The film Shooting the Past, directed by Stephen Poliakoff, features a scene where a character questions whether a photograph can reveal the truth behind a liar’s words. This evokes the complexities of truth in political and military contexts, where misinformation often acts as a weapon against reality.
In politics and warfare, deceit is adeptly masked. The Bondi Beach attack on December 14 is a pertinent case for examining how narratives are constructed. For a deeper analysis, listen to the hour-long podcast with Nima Alkhorshid that covers recent developments.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jRTZLLve8o
The Evidence
During a press conference on December 15, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the previous day’s attack had claimed 16 lives and left 42 injured. Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared the incident a terrorist act on record, stating, “Operation Arques, a joint counterterrorism operation, was initiated.”
The police affirmed that the attackers acted independently, but when questioned about their motives or affiliations, Lanyon provided little clarity. “Currently, we have no leads on any additional suspects,” he stated. The two suspects were identified as a father and son, with the father, Sajid Akram, fatally shot by police during the incident, and his son, Naveed Akram, in critical condition.
Prime Minister Albanese characterized the event as “an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location, Bondi Beach.”
Premier Minns reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance on racism and antisemitism, emphasizing the need to combat hate speech in all its forms.
When pressed about evidence substantiating the politicians’ conclusions, Lanyon stated that the investigation was ongoing. A reporter queried whether any ISIS flags had been recovered from the attackers’ vehicle, to which Lanyon replied, “That’s all part of the investigation.”
Commissioner Lanyon stressed that understanding the ideology behind the attack is a crucial part of their inquiry, even as he refrained from commenting on specific motives or manifestos potentially left behind by the attackers. “Our investigation is thorough; we want to uncover the motives and actions involved. This requires time for proper work,” he concluded.
Reports surfaced indicating that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had scrutinized one of the shooters due to alleged ties to a Sydney-based ISIS cell six years prior. Sources claim that two ISIS flags were located in the Akram’s vehicle, with one visible in footage from the scene.
Despite this, Commissioner Lanyon did not confirm any such relationship or advance the narrative of international terror links during the press conference.
Authorities confirmed that Sajid Akram traveled to Manila last month with his son, Naveed, suggesting further scrutiny of their travel history.
Photographs of Sajid Akram (left) and Naveed Akram (right) from the attack scene on December 14. Sajid was university-educated; his occupation is not reported. Naveed worked as a bricklayer.
The Indian police confirmed that Sajid Akram originally hails from Hyderabad, having immigrated to Australia in 1998. Despite his limited ties with relatives in India, authorities indicated that the Akram family had no radical background known to them, highlighting a disturbing disconnect between extremist ideologies and familial influences.
The Law
Australian laws, both federal and state, explicitly define terrorism. According to New South Wales’s Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002, a terrorist act is defined as one intended to advance a political, religious, or ideological cause through coercion or intimidation of the government or the public.
Significantly, acts of murder, including mass murder, do not fall under the legal definition of terrorism within this framework. Even actions intended to cause serious harm don’t universally equate to terrorist actions under this statute.
Federal laws connected to terrorism offer compensatory measures for Australian victims of terrorism abroad, yet their implementation has been politically charged, with Prime Ministerial discretion shaping their outcomes. A glaring example is the Australian government’s designation of the MH17 tragedy as a non-terrorist incident.
With the recent designation of Hamas actions against Israel as terrorism, Australian responses to various incidents illustrate the complexities and selectivity surrounding the definitions of political violence, leading to perceptions of bias.
The Political Narrative
Former President Donald Trump acknowledged the antisemitic nature of the Bondi incident without officially branding it as a terrorist action, demonstrating a distinction he drew between acts of terrorism and antisemitism. He connected the Bondi assault to international events, illustrating the broader context of violence and hate.
On December 14, during a White House reception, Trump extended condolences to the victims and commented on various global incidents, including the Bondi shooting, categorizing it as an antisemitic attack but not explicitly labeling it terrorism.
Israeli officials have linked the Australian government’s stance on Palestine to the attack, suggesting that diplomatic relations foster an environment for such violence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in communications with Prime Minister Albanese, stressed that recognition of Palestine contributes to rising antisemitism in Australia. He implored Albanese to take action against this wave of hatred.
Left: Excerpt from Netanyahu's letter to Albanese, August 17, 2025.
Centre: Netanyahu addressing the nation, December 14, 2025. Right: Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, anounced in a tweet that antisemitic terrorism transcends borders, attributing the bloodshed at Bondi to Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state. His comments reflect the ongoing tension surrounding global perceptions of violence directed at Jewish communities.
The Russian government responded to the Bondi shooting, emphasizing its condemnation of extremist violence and expressing condolences to the victims. This official statement arrived simultaneously with Prime Minister Albanese’s press conference, signaling a coordinated response from international actors.
“It was with deep sorrow that we learned of the terrorist attack in Sydney during Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach. We strongly condemn this egregious act, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and numerous injuries,” the statement read, underscoring Russia’s commitment to combatting terrorism.
The Russian government’s overtures regarding the incident came amidst complicated narratives surrounding the Jewish community’s historical tensions with Russia, particularly in Ukraine.
The New Orleans Truck Attack of January 2025
The January 2025 New Orleans truck attack, perpetrated by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, highlights the complexities in the classification of terrorism within political discourse. Although this incident involved a black ISIS flag and resulted in multiple casualties, the FBI dismissed the notion of foreign terrorist affiliations.
Israel’s Foreign Minister at the time offered condolences, illustrating a consistent pattern of international awareness and response to acts of violence against Jewish individuals.
The Political Context in Australia
The Jewish community in Australia has witnessed fluctuations in demography and affiliation, with an estimated population of around 117,000 facing significant disaffiliation trends, particularly among the younger generation. In contrast, Australia’s Muslim population, nearly 1 million, is significantly larger and more united, exhibiting rapid growth.
Disparities in political power and representation raise concerns, particularly as young Muslim Australians often feel disenfranchised despite being an increasingly vital electoral bloc. With Muslim populations influencing electoral outcomes in key regions, the implications for policy and community relations are profound.
These demographic dynamics could shape future political landscapes as Australia grapples with the growing voices of its diverse communities.
The impending political ramifications are clear: a rising Muslim electoral influence comes from families who have fled conflicts instigated by Western military engagements. This, juxtaposed with the relatively marginal Jewish voter concentration, indicates a shift in political power dynamics.
This disenfranchisement could fuel further tension as young Muslims confront the implications of conflicts that appear connected to their cultural identities, ultimately shaping Australia’s societal dialogue.
The disenfranchised Muslim community feels the weight of Australia’s policies around military alliances and the resultant social narratives they perceive as reflecting undue Jewish influence in the media, perpetuating Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bias in public discourse.
Research indicates a more pervasive climate of racial hatred in Australia than the antisemitism narratives currently highlighted by various factions, asserting a complex interplay of identity and political power in contemporary Australian society.
Source: https://lens.monash.edu/australian-medias-instagram-posts-on-gaza-war-have-an-anti-palestine-bias-that-has-real-world-consequences/ Parallel research shows similar anti-Muslim narratives pervasive in media outlets across the US and Canada.
