Two Men Fined Over Damaging Posters Of Israeli Hostages At Bondi Beach

Two individuals received fines for displaying offensive behaviour regarding the desecration of a memorial at Bondi Beach.

The arrangement of 230 beach towels and pairs of thongs next to posters of the individuals abducted on October 7 extended over a distance of more than 100 metres along the concourse.

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It came amid heightened tensions in Australia over the Israel and Hamas war.

On Thursday, footage captured two individuals attempting to take down posters of the hostages, and were confronted by a larger aggrieved group. 

The men can be seen with scrunched-up posters in their hands.

“The hostages aren’t here, mate, they’re not here, so why are we bringing it here,” one of the men said in the video.

“This is my family,” a woman from the larger group responds.

Police has launched an investigation regarding the incident, with two men being interviewed by police on Friday.

“As part of inquiries, police attended a Granville home and spoke to a 25-year-old and a 40-year-old at a Bankstown home,” police said in a statement.

“Both men have been issued criminal infringement notices for offensive behaviour, which carries a fine of $500.”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin said the vandalism went against Australian values including the right to peaceful, dignified displays.

There have been more than 200 people taken hostage by Hamas militants when the group staged a surprise attack on Israel on October 7.

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