Like most of Australia, Colin Cussell and his family were horrified when they heard about the Bondi shootings on Sunday evening, and they are still in shock. The Cussells are part of Lismore's Jewish community.

"Upset and scared, particularly my wife and daughter, who woke up crying yesterday morning," Colin told the Lismore App.

"I've been very angry. That's what motivated me to put that poster up there."

Colin is referring to two A4-sized posters that he stuck on the Tinnie Army Mural in Larkin Lane, which said "Pro-Palestinian People: Stop Your Graffiti In This Town! You're Aligned With The Bondi Shooters!"

It is not well known, but pro-Palestinian messages have been added to the Tinnie Army Mural in Larkin Lane on the side of the Hotel Metropole. Politicising a mural that celebrates Lismore's heroic rescuers following the February 28 2022, 14.4 metre flood (Free Palestine messaging added to Tinnie Army mural sparks debate).

This story is not to take sides in the two-year Israel/Palestine conflict, where both sides suffered the loss of many lives. It is not to divide our community. Quite the opposite, it is to highlight the pain and suffering of a community that occurred on Australian soil, far from Gaza.

Lismore has a small Jewish community, "Only a few families", says Colin Cussell. The majority of the approximately 2,000 Northern Rivers Jewish population live in Byron Bay, where there is a lot more sectarian division.

However, the impact of the Bondi shootings had a direct impact in the Northern Rivers.

"In Brunswick Heads last night, we were having a similar celebration to what was on in Sydney, and I've heard the news came through by text at the same time. People were all on their phones and worried, and knew people who were locked down and things like that. The whole thing just finished early, and people went home.

"For my wife. She has a work colleague whose father was killed. My wife works through the University of Sydney in UCRH opposite the hospital, and she has another University of Sydney colleague in Sydney whose father was killed, so there's a direct connection there."

Colin feels safe in Lismore, but says the level of graffiti in Byron Bay is more "in your face".

"And it's targeting certain businesses. I guess, if I owned those businesses, I'd feel very upset."

Multiculturalism has played a large part in Australia's history and will continue to do so in the future. Antisemitism should never play a role in our culture and needs to be strongly discouraged at every opportunity.

The NSW Government lit the Sydney Opera House with candles on the Menorah last night, marking the second day of Chanuka.

Premier Chris Minns said, "Lighting the Opera House is a simple but powerful gesture: a message to the world that we cherish our Jewish community, that we honour their courage, and that we stand with them in solidarity and love.

"Tonight, those candles are a symbol of resilience and a reminder that even in darkness, we choose to stand with one another."