Sydney Attack Exploited to Revive ‘Victim’ Narrative by Israeli Media
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Israeli media are allegedly exploiting the Sydney attack to revive a narrative of victimhood for political gain, diverting attention from the ongoing conflict with Palestinians.
Palestinian and Israeli affairs expert Ali Al-Awar noted that Israeli newspapers, including Maariv, Yediot Ahronot, and Haaretz, prominently highlighted the deaths of 11 Israelis during the Hanukkah celebration, framing the incident in a security and symbolic context to serve Zionist narratives.
Official reactions from the Israeli regime have been limited, with only general statements from Benjamin Netanyahu linking the attack to rising antisemitism, but without providing any significant political or security position.
Al-Awar also suggested that the incident could deepen internal divisions within Israel, as some view Netanyahu’s policies in the war against Gaza, the siege, and the aggression against Lebanon as factors fueling global anger and targeting Jews outside Palestine.
Conversely, supporters of Netanyahu are reportedly attempting to revive the discourse of antisemitism, pressuring the Australian government to prevent it from supporting the recognition of a Palestinian state and to once again present Israel as a victim.
Suspicious narratives circulating on social media suggest the incident was fabricated or designed to garner global sympathy following the killings in Gaza. Some have even pointed fingers at Israeli agencies, citing historical precedents of the Zionist movement sacrificing Jews for political gains, such as the King David Hotel bombing in Jerusalem.
Palestinian journalist Fayez Abu Shamala noted that accounts linked to Mossad quickly labeled the attackers as jihadists before the official results of the Australian investigation were released, indicating an attempt to restore the image of Israel as a victim and gain global sympathy after the genocidal war in Gaza.
Abu Shamala added that Netanyahu would use images of the attack during meetings with the media and Jewish communities in the United States to cover up the crimes of the siege and killings in Gaza.
Israeli Minister of War Yoav Kates also claimed to be supporting Jewish communities worldwide, indicating that the Sydney incident is being used as a global propaganda tool, not solely for the benefit of Australian Jews.
Observers have emphasized that the Palestinian resistance has never targeted Jews outside Palestine and that its struggle is not religious, but solely against the Zionist project and occupation in Palestine.
Islamic centers, including the Council of Imams in Australia, have condemned any attacks on civilians, warning that such incidents should not be used to whitewash the face of the occupying regime and justify its crimes.
Australian police reported that a shooting near Bondi Beach in Sydney on the first day of Hanukkah resulted in 12 deaths and dozens of injuries. One of the attackers was killed, and two others were arrested. Among the victims were prominent figures such as the envoy of the Chabad movement and the head of the Council of Jews in Australia.
