Daily Politics from the New Statesman Are Jews safe?
Dec 15, 2025
Joining the discussion are Rachel Cunliffe, a journalist with personal ties to recent antisemitic events, and Hannah Barnes, an associate editor who analyzes current trends. They reflect on the shocking Bondi Beach attack, discussing how such events target Jewish festivals to instill fear. The rise in antisemitism, especially since the conflict escalation on October 7th, is explored alongside the idea that casual rhetoric on the left normalizes these sentiments. The conversation also touches on the psychological cost of heightened security and the significance of Hanukkah's themes of resilience.
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Family WhatsApp Confirmed Safety
- Rachel Cunliffe learned her sister was safe via a WhatsApp message before the news broke about the Bondi Beach attack.
- She described the chilling sight of abandoned shoes and toys left by families who fled the Hanukkah event.
Holocaust Survivor Killed Protecting Family
- Hannah Barnes recounted that one of the elderly men killed was a Holocaust survivor who died protecting his family.
- She highlighted the grotesque wrongness of a survivor being murdered at a beach while protecting loved ones.
Attacks Aim To Silence Public Jewish Life
- Rachel Cunliffe argued attacks timed to Jewish holidays are deliberate, not coincidental.
- She said the point of terror is to make visibly Jewish people feel they must retreat from public religious life.