Fact Check: Manchester Video Footage Predates Bondi Attack by Six Months

Social media footage from a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Manchester, England, has been falsely labeled as showing celebratory reactions to the deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah event in Sydney’s Bondi Beach, according to a Reuters fact-check investigation.

The video, which shows protesters wearing Palestinian keffiyeh scarves clapping and making gestures while walking past Manchester’s Market Street tram stop, was circulated with captions claiming it depicted “vile celebrations” of the December 14 attack in Australia.

“PRO-PALESTINE CROWD CELEBRATE IN MANCHESTER,” stated a Facebook post shared on December 15, the day after the Bondi Beach attack. “We saw some disgusting videos on social media in the wake of the horror terror attack on Bondi Beach on Sunday. This was just one of such vile celebrations taking place across the country.”

However, Reuters fact-checkers determined the video was actually taken six months before the Sydney attack. The same footage had been posted to social media platform X on June 8 as part of a thread about a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Manchester that took place on June 7.

Further evidence confirming the video’s origin came from Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine, a local activist group that posted footage from the same June demonstration on Facebook, indicating it occurred in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens. Visual elements in both videos match, including a banner reading “END ISRAELI OCCUPATION” and identifiable participants wearing the same clothing.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed to Reuters on December 18 that the video predated the Bondi attack and stated the force was “not aware of any celebrations in Manchester in response to the Sydney incident.”

The circulation of this miscaptioned video comes amid heightened tensions and security concerns. On December 17, Greater Manchester Police and London’s Metropolitan Police issued a joint statement announcing increased patrols and security measures at Jewish sites, citing the Bondi Beach attack and rising antisemitism as factors necessitating a tougher stance on protests and hate crimes.

The Bondi Beach attack, which occurred on December 14, resulted in fifteen fatalities. Australian authorities have indicated the alleged perpetrators, described as a father-and-son pair, appeared to have been inspired by Islamic State.

This incident highlights the ongoing problem of misinformation surrounding politically sensitive events, particularly those related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. False attributions and miscaptioned media can inflame community tensions and contribute to an atmosphere of fear and division.

Social media platforms continue to struggle with the rapid spread of such misinformation, which often gains significant traction before fact-checkers can verify content. Media literacy experts recommend that users verify the source and date of videos before sharing them, particularly when they relate to divisive or emotionally charged events.

The Reuters Fact Check team, which investigated this case, regularly examines viral content to determine its authenticity as part of the organization’s broader commitment to accurate reporting and media integrity.