Asia & Pacific

ISIS and Al Qaeda Paid ‘Close Attention’ to Bondi Terror Attacks: NZ Spy Chief

NZSIS director-general warned that identity-based violent extremists promoting anti-Semitic and Islamophobic narratives also closely followed the incident.
ISIS and Al Qaeda Paid ‘Close Attention’ to Bondi Terror Attacks: NZ Spy Chief
Australia's flag is seen next to floral tributes outside Bondi Pavilion in Sydney, Australia on Dec. 16, 2025. David Gray/AFP via Getty Images
Rex Widerstrom
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The head of New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) says violent extremist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda closely monitored the Bondi Beach terrorist mass shooting.

The terror attack took place on Dec. 14, 2025, leaving 15 people dead and 40 others injured, and sent shockwaves around the Western world due to it being one of the largest terrorist attacks to target the Jewish community since the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.
Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.