Australia was the happy land where freedom of worship, free speech and freedom of assembly promised a new life for some and a better life for all.

But the murderous attack on Jewish families while they celebrated Hanukkah on Bondi Beach has cast a pall over some of the treasured beliefs that unite us and radically changed how the rest of the world may perceive us.

People gather at the Bondi Beach vigil for victims of Sunday’s attack.Credit: Steven Siewert

The killing of 16 people and wounding of at least another 42 is the deadliest attack on Jewish citizens since the Hamas raids on Israel in October 2023. The story led news websites and newspapers across the world as the shock, surprise and horror rolled out from the very beach that symbolises the best of our country.

The Bondi Beach shootings are unprecedented. Over the past five decades, infrequent,........

© The Sydney Morning Herald