Jewish voices say an attack of this kind was entirely predictable given the surge in antisemitic attacks in Australia since 2023
The sun rises early at this time of year, hitting the south of the beach first before chasing the shadows north, the gradual retreat of the darkness to the light.
Hanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, was being celebrated here on Sunday evening, when the darkness came brutally roaring back.
At dawn on Friday, people came in their thousands, in their many colours and their many tribes, to be back in the sea.
“In this time of darkness, let’s spread light, love and compassion,” the crowd was urged, before thousands took surfboards and rescue boards, or simply swam out to join together in a mammoth circle in the sea, facing the middle of the beach.
