Authorities in New South Wales are on high alert following the discovery of online threats calling for a day of violent retribution in Sydney. The planned event, which has sparked fears of a repeat of historic racial tensions, comes in the wake of Sunday's devastating terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.
Online Threats and Police Response
NSW Police confirmed on Monday night they are aware of a flyer being widely shared on social media, promoting a so-called 'bashing day' at Cronulla Beach in southern Sydney. The event is scheduled for Saturday, 27th December 2025.
The inflammatory flyer, which states 'WE RIOT. WOG/MIDDLE EASTERN BASHING DAY', has been circulated primarily on Snapchat, where messages disappear after 24 hours. It has also appeared on platforms like Facebook and TikTok. While the post does not explicitly state a motive, it is understood to be a planned act of retribution for the Bondi Beach massacre, where two men of Middle Eastern appearance targeted a Jewish event, killing 15 people.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon had pre-emptively urged for calm less than four hours after the Bondi attack. "When I asked for calm, that is really important. This is not a time for retribution," he stated at a press conference on Sunday night. "This is a time to allow the police to do their duty."
Community and Political Condemnation
The majority of social media commenters have condemned the call to violence. Descriptions such as "the most un-Australian response" and pleas for peace have dominated the discourse under the shared posts. The threat has also ignited painful memories of the 2005 Cronulla Riots, where thousands of Anglo-Australians clashed with and attacked individuals of Middle Eastern descent.
NSW Premier Chris Minns issued a stern warning to anyone considering attending the "horrible event", stating they would be "met with the full force of the law". He emphasised, "We're not going to allow ever a situation where we descend into some kind of lawlessness. The last thing we need is a descent into vindictive violence."
This sentiment was echoed by residents of Cronulla and the wider Sutherland Shire, many of whom lived through the 2005 riots. One local posted on a community page: "To anyone of Middle Eastern background living in the Shire: please stay safe and prioritise your wellbeing. You belong here, and you should not have to feel afraid because of hatred like this."
Political Rhetoric and Rising Tensions
The call for calm from authorities faces a complex challenge, amplified by commentary from high-profile figures. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, in remarks to the Daily Telegraph on Monday, linked the Bondi "abomination" to what he described as "unchecked expressions of hatred" and "dreadful Jew hating". He questioned the citizenship status of some involved and called for a redoubling of efforts to promote Australian values.
This focus on a specific community has raised concerns about the potential for further division. The situation presents a critical test for social cohesion, as authorities work to prevent acts of vigilante violence while investigating the original terrorist atrocity. The NSW Police force now faces the dual task of managing the fallout from the Bondi attack and proactively policing the threats of retaliatory violence that have emerged in its aftermath.
