Bondi Beach attack sparks war of words between Albanese and Netanyahu after antisemitic terror kills 16 in Sydney. Photos: X.
The deadly shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday has left at least 16 people dead, including a 10-year-old girl and an Israeli citizen, and injured 40 others. The authorities have classified it as an antisemitic terrorist attack. The perpetrators, a father-and-son duo armed with long-barrelled firearms, targeted a Hanukkah celebration at the popular Sydney beach.
In a video message shared on X, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incident “a dark day in our nation’s history” and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to unity.
“Yesterday was a dark day in our nation’s history. But we are stronger than the cowards who did this. We refuse to let them divide us,” Albanese said.
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“Australia will never submit to division, violence, or hatred, and we will come through this together.”
At a press conference on Monday, Albanese responded to criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing national solidarity.
“This is a moment for national unity, a moment for Australians to come together, which is exactly what we will be doing,” he stated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized Albanese for failing to safeguard the Jewish community. In a video message posted on X, Netanyahu linked the Bondi Beach attack to Australia’s recognition of Palestinian statehood, alleging that it has exacerbated antisemitism.
Netanyahu referenced a letter he claims to have sent to Albanese four months ago, warning that Australia’s support for Palestinian statehood “pours fuel on the antisemitic fire” and would “reward Hamas terrorists.”
“You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country. You took no action,” Netanyahu said during a government meeting on Sunday.
“You let the disease spread, and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today.”
Australia has seen a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents following the war in Gaza. Since October 2023, several synagogues, Jewish businesses, and private homes have been targeted, with the Bondi Beach attack marking the latest and deadliest incident.
In September, during the United Nations General Assembly, Australia formally recognised a Palestinian state. The move occurred amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which were in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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