A 22-year-old man mimicked the gunmen from Australia’s deadliest anti-Semitic attack while shouting racist slurs on the Bondi Beach pedestrian bridge, prompting calls for imprisonment despite his lawyer’s claim of drunken stupidity.
The Incident
On January 31, Zayne Jason William McMillan stood on the footbridge at Bondi Beach, posing with his hands as if gripping a long-barrelled firearm. Court documents show he yelled ‘f*** the Jews’ and intimidated a passerby walking with his young daughters, causing the girls to cry.
Minutes later, McMillan biked up to a Jewish man in religious headwear and his young son heading to a synagogue, continuing his anti-Semitic rant over an hour-long episode fueled by alcohol.
Court Proceedings
McMillan pleaded guilty to three counts of offensive behavior in public and two counts of intimidation. During his hearing at Waverley Local Court, he expressed remorse, stating he acted stupidly and wished to apologize.
His lawyer, Glen Cremer, argued for release on bail to address alcohol and drug issues before April sentencing. Cremer described the acts as ‘fairly extreme’ but insensitive and immature, not planned anti-Semitism. ‘It’s drunken stupidity,’ Cremer told the court, noting McMillan, a Koori man, was influenced by others at the time.
The police prosecutor highlighted McMillan’s parole status for domestic violence offenses and the ‘pretty horrendous’ facts, insisting jail was inevitable. The magistrate agreed imprisonment seemed likely and denied bail.
McMillan plans to deliver a community apology at sentencing next month.
Bondi Attack Background
The bridge gained notoriety after Naveed Akram and his father Sajid allegedly fired on a Hanukkah crowd there on December 14, killing 15 and injuring dozens.
Bridge’s Future in Question
Local leaders debate the structure’s fate. NSW Premier Chris Minns called for demolition to avoid a ‘ghoulish reminder’ of the tragedy. Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh noted ongoing consultations with the NSW government, Jewish community, victims’ families, and residents before deciding.
