After October 7 and Bondi massacre, seven Australian friends answered Israel's call to serve
The friends had arrived in the IDF via different routes. One told me about the influence of Bnei Akiva, another of family history, friends who had already served. Oct. 7, was central for all seven.
Seven friends from Sydney, who had spent a year in Israel, enlisted as lone soldiers in the IDF after the October 7 attack and the Bondi massacre. They were awarded their light-green berets, marking the end of their basic and advanced combat training. The attack on Bondi Beach, which killed 15 and wounded 40, intensified their sense of responsibility for their families back in Australia.
While most Australian Jews felt increasingly unsafe due to a surge in anti-Jewish incidents, these soldiers chose to prioritize protecting their homeland over their families' well-being. They had arrived in the IDF through various routes, including the influence of Bnei Akiva, family history, and the actions of friends who had already served.
Despite the sacrifices, they believe that their presence in the IDF is more meaningful than returning to an increasingly antisemitic Australia.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written; read the original for the full account.
