How have Jewish leaders responded to the Bondi attack?published at 17:34 GMT
Julian Leeser criticised the government for not responding to rising antisemitism in Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is coming under pressure to tackle rising antisemitism in Australia. Here’s what Jewish leaders have said:
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry said the attack showed “unfathomable evil”, and acknowledged the government’s commitment to “eradicate” antisemitism – but said action was needed.
But, Rabbi Moshe Gutnick, joint head of the group that organised the targeted Hannukah event at Bondi, said that for the past two years the government has done “absolutely nothing” to curb antisemitism.
The Jewish Council of Australia said it was “shattering” to be confronted with violence “during the Jewish festival of light and hope”.
Liberal MP Julian Leeserwho is Jewish, called for the prime minister to act on recommendations in a July report published by the government’s antisemitism envoy.
Labor MP Josh Burnswho is also Jewish, said the proposed gun reforms tackle the “how” of the attack, but added “the why needs to be confronted as well – and that is antisemitism.”
He told ABC News that the reforms recommended by a recent antisemitism report “clearly” need to be brought “to the table quickly”.
In response to the attack, Albanese convened the National Cabinet on Monday, saying “we stand with Jewish Australians and we stand against hatred and violence.”
He also said the government was already implementing some of the suggestions in the report.
