Beach horse ride prompts a review
'The incident that occurred is unacceptable and understandably caused distress to many members of the Jewish community.'
A majority of Waverley councillors have voted in favour of conducting a review aimed at preventing all unauthorised modes of transport on beaches, including horses, with police horses being the only exception.
The decision comes after social influencer Ehtesham Ahmad provocatively rode a horse along Bondi Beach waving a Palestinian flag.
Ahmad, a 20-year-old acai business owner, had earlier posted on Instagram with the caption: “Bondi time, if you near Bondi come bring your Palestinian flag.”
NSW Police officers called to Bondi spoke to Ahmad, before issuing him with a move-on direction but no fine.
At last Tuesday night’s Waverley Council meeting, a majority of councillors supported the review motion, with only the Greens councillors voting against it. The meeting heard that while rangers had recently issued fines to owners of off-leash dogs on Bondi Beach, the council had no power to issue fines for horses.
“Waverley Council takes community safety seriously, especially at the beloved and iconic Bondi Beach, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year,” said Waverley mayor Will Nemesh.
“The incident that occurred is unacceptable and understandably caused distress to many members of the Jewish community.
“At the last meeting of council, I introduced a Mayoral Minute to ensure appropriate infringement action is available to respond to such incidents. I take the issue seriously and that’s why I have acted.”
The review will examine ways to strengthen council powers to prevent unauthorised vehicles and animals from accessing beach areas, potentially including new penalties and enforcement mechanisms.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said Australians deserve better after “selective application of the law” has resulted in nearly two years of Palestinian protestors “playing into the hands of those who seek to needlessly provoke”.
“Try bringing a Groodle onto the sands at Bondi and see how quickly you get fined,” said Ryvchin.
“Some shmuck decides to gallop up and down the sand, leaving a trail of dung, and he’s politely asked to move on.”