Man to face court after bomb disposal police called to Bondi

5 hours ago 4

Vests covered in duct tape brought bomb disposal police to Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Sunday night following a vigil mourning the Bondi Beach terror attack.

A 33-year-old man, believed to have recently travelled from Victoria, will face court on Monday after being charged with offensive behaviour, drug possession and giving false information to police.

An image shared on Facebook by the Australian Jewish Association appearing to show one of the duct-taped vests.

Officers from Operation Shelter, set up to reduce antisemitic and other hate crime activity, were called to reports of suspicious behaviour when a man was allegedly seen wearing a vest covered in duct-taped objects on Oxford Street at Bondi Junction about 10.10pm.

Police caught up with the man on Bondi Road at Bondi.

A search of his vehicle allegedly uncovered a second duct-taped vest along with a face mask and a tin allegedly containing prohibited drugs.

The vests were examined by the bomb disposal unit and deemed safe.

The man was arrested and taken to Surry Hills police station, and is due to face a bail court on Monday.

The arrest came after thousands of people gathered at Bondi Beach for the final daily vigil to mourn the 15 people killed in the December 14 terror attack.

Performers sang songs in Hebrew – and also one dedicated to 10-year-old Matilda at the January 11 final daily Bondi attack vigil.

The vigil marked the end of “shloshim” – the 30-day Jewish mourning period.

The audience fell into a hushed silence as performers sang a special rendition of Waltzing Matilda dedicated to 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of the attack.

Since the first day after the attack, Rabbi Yossi Friedman has held vigils at Bondi Pavilion three times a day at 7.30am, 1pm and 7.30pm.

Rabbi Yossi Friedman (centre) leads people in prayers at the Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach in December.

A federal royal commission will be held into the circumstances leading up to the Bondi attack, in which alleged terrorists targeted a Hanukkah celebration.

Former High Court justice Virginia Bell will lead the national inquiry. A report is due before December 14, 2026.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has supported the federal royal commission, but said the state may still need to hold its own inquiry on state-specific issues.

The premier has this morning announced stronger powers for local councils to shut down unlawful premises accused of hosting hate preachers, allowing them to cut off utilities when operators ignore planning laws and cease-use notices.

Bankstown’s Al Madina Dawah Centre has been issued a notice to shut down by the local council.

Canterbury-Bankstown council issued a “cease use” directive in December after it found the Al Madina Dawah centre was never approved to operate as a prayer hall.

“There is no place in NSW for hate, intimidation or extremism masquerading as community activity,” Minns said.

“These reforms give councils real powers to act when premises are operating unlawfully and spreading division.”

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