Tense scenes unfolded at Bondi Beach on the National Day of Reflection after a pro-Palestine supporter was escorted away by cops.
The man, who wore a keffiyeh, was heckled by locals as he visited the area in Sydney‘s eastern suburbs on Sunday.
‘Why are you here?’ one person said to him.
‘You’re not welcome,’ another said.
NSW Police officers approached the man and spoke with him.
The man was reportedly heard asking officers: ‘Why should I take this off?’
‘I came here on a day of reflection to reflect.’
NSW Police confirmed the man was issued a move-on direction and that he complied with it.
A pro-Palestine supporter wearing a keffiyeh was heckled by mourners at Bondi Beach
Police questioned the man before he was escorted away from Bondi Beach
The incident happened as Aussies around the country participate in a National Day of Reflection.
Huge crowds are expected to arrive at Bondi Beach in the evening.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said heavily-armed police will be patrolling Bondi and the surrounding areas.
‘This afternoon and into the evening, there will be a heightened police presence in Bondi and the surrounding areas under Operation Shelter,’ he said.
‘I want to reassure the community that this does not reflect a heightened security alert.
‘We know how deeply this tragedy has impacted Jewish families, friends, and the wider community who stand with them.’
Commissioner Lanyon said the priority for police is ‘ensuring that everyone can come together to honour the victims and support one another without fear’.
‘You will see more officers than usual, including some carrying long-arm firearms. While our priority is keeping the community safe, it is equally about helping people feel safe as they come together to grieve,’ he said.
Police ordered the man to move on after he was heckled by locals
Bondi Beach will be the epicentre of the Australia-wide National Day of Reflection tribute
Among the victims was 10-year-old girl Matilda who was farewelled at a burial service this week
‘Tonight is about standing with the community, safeguarding the space for a respectful vigil, and ensuring everyone feels supported during this incredibly difficult time.’
The Bondi Beach attack occurred just before 7pm last Sunday, when Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid, 50, allegedly opened fire during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 people and injuring 40 more.
Among the victims was 10-year-old girl Matilda who was farewelled at a burial service this week.
Sajid was shot dead and Naveed taken into custody and charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Sunday a major review into the performance of ASIO and other authorities.
Albanese said former intelligence chief Dennis Richardson will lead the review of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
The review will examine the performance of intelligence agencies including ASIO in the lead-up to last Sunday’s Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
The review will be made publicly available when it is finalised in April 2026.
‘The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet will examine whether federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies have the right powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe in the wake of the horrific antisemitic Bondi Beach terrorist attack,’ Albanese said.
‘The ISIS-inspired atrocity last Sunday reinforces the rapidly changing security environment in our nation.
‘Our security agencies must be in the best position to respond.’
