Netanyahu says Israel is fighting for ‘survival of civilisation’ after Bondi Beach massacre: Video

Speaking to Israeli soldiers during a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Monday, Netanyahu invoked the story of the Maccabees, describing their fight as a battle for the survival of both the Jewish people and their faith.

“We are fighting today the battle that the Maccabees fought,” Netanyahu said, adding that their victory was central not only to Judaism but also to what he described as the foundations of Judeo-Christian civilisation. He argued that the failure of the Maccabees would have altered the course of world history and the development of societies based on freedom.

Netanyahu said the same spirit underpins the actions of Israeli forces confronting threats on multiple fronts. He said Israeli soldiers operating in Gaza, Lebanon and against Iran were motivated not only by the need to protect the Jewish people and the Israeli state, but also by what he described as a broader fight to defend civilisation.

The Israeli leader also connected the conflict in the Middle East to antisemitic violence abroad, referencing a deadly attack during a Hanukkah event in Australia.

“They did a horrible thing to us on October 7,” Netanyahu said, adding that similar violence was being directed at Jewish communities in places such as Sydney and the United States. He described the situation as a shared struggle against what he called “barbarians,” expressing confidence that Israel would prevail.

Netanyahu’s comments came a day after a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney during a Hanukkah gathering left 16 people dead. Australian authorities said the attackers were a father and son, Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while his son was arrested and remains in custody.