A prominent Jewish bakery in Sydney has closed its doors, citing years of antisemitic harassment and a deteriorating security environment in the aftermath of the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack that killed 15 people.

Patrons arriving Tuesday morning at Avner’s Bakery in Surry Hills were met with the shop’s small blue door firmly shut and a printed sign explaining the decision. The closure follows the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, where ISIS-inspired gunmen opened fire during a Chanukah event, killing 15.

“In the wake of the pogrom at Bondi one thing has become clear — it is no longer possible to make outwardly, publicly, proudly Jewish places and events safe in Australia,” the sign read.

Avner’s Bakery said the decision came after “two years of almost ceaseless antisemitic harassment, vandalism and intimidation” directed at the business and its staff. According to the statement, those threats have continued and intensified following Sunday’s attack, making it “impossible” to guarantee the safety of employees, customers and their families.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Avner’s announced on Instagram that it would not open on Tuesday as staff struggled to process the violence. By the following morning, the bakery confirmed it would be shutting down indefinitely.

“After two years of almost ceaseless antisemitic harassment, vandalism and intimidation directed at our little bakery, we have to be realistic about the threats that exist going forwards,” the sign continued. “Those threats have continued since Bondi.”

Jewish institutions across Sydney have increased security in recent days, with community leaders warning that the Bondi attack represents a turning point. Shuls and schools have requested additional police protection, while public Jewish events are being reassessed or canceled.

The closure comes as Australian authorities face mounting questions over whether Jewish sites were adequately protected in the lead-up to the Bondi attack, and whether existing measures are sufficient to counter escalating threats.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)