Terrorist attack on a Jewish festival caused 15 deaths and dozens of injuries last Sunday (14)
The Prime Minister of , , was the target of public protests this Sunday (21) during the ceremony in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack that occurred last week in Bondi Beach. The event, marked by strong commotion and reinforced security, paid tribute to the 15 people killed and dozens injured in the attack on a Hanukkah celebration.
Albanese, who arrived at the scene wearing a black suit and a yarmulke — a traditional Jewish skullcap — faced hostility from the crowd. Reports indicate that the prime minister was booed both upon arrival and at the moment his name was mentioned by speakers.
The negative public reaction reflects growing criticism of the center-left government, accused of not acting firmly enough against the rise of anti-Semitism in the country since the start of the conflict in . In contrast, the Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, was applauded when he declared that the community “regained the beach” from the fear imposed by extremists.
Security failures and government response
The massacre, carried out by two gunmen who authorities believe were inspired by the terrorist group, exposed serious gaps in the Australian security system. The attack highlighted problems in sharing information between intelligence agencies and in the process of granting licenses for firearms.
In response to the tragedy and popular pressure, Albanese announced immediate measures:
Intelligence Review: A full audit of spy and public security agencies, led by a former head of the sector, to assess whether current powers are adequate to protect the population;
Gun control: Implementation of a national weapons buyback program;
Combating hate speech: New legal powers to deny or cancel visas for individuals who propagate division and extremism;
The federal government reiterated that it had already expelled the ambassador at the beginning of the year and approved laws criminalizing hate speech, now promising an offensive to eradicate anti-Semitism.
Tributes
The ceremony on Bondi Beach was attended by thousands of participants and was protected by snipers and police vessels. At 6:47 pm (4:47 am Brasília time), the exact time the shooting began the previous week, a minute of silence was observed. Flags on public buildings remained at half-mast and radio and TV broadcasts were stopped as a sign of respect.
Mourners attend a ceremony in memory of the victims of the shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney
Community leaders and survivors spoke about the loss of national innocence. David Ossip, of the Jewish Board of Deputies, lamented that the nation had been “stained with blood,” but reinforced Hanukkah’s message of hope. One of the most moving moments was the speech by Chaya Dadon, a 14-year-old survivor, who asked the population for resilience.
Also present was the father of Ahmed al Ahmed, a man acclaimed as the “Hero of Bondi” for having disarmed one of the terrorists during the attack. Authorities ended the day by asking citizens to light candles in their homes to mark the end of the festival of lights and the beginning of a period of national recovery.
