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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese A section of the crowd booed at a memorial in Sydney on Sunday as Australia observed a national day of reflection for the victims of last week’s anti-Semitic gun attack. bondi beach,
Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured when two gunmen opened fire during Hanukkah celebrations on the beach on Sunday last week.
Thousands of people including the Prime Minister and many other leaders participated in this procession. bondi beach Under heavy police presence, including snipers on rooftops.
At least one member of the crowd shouted “blood on your hands” at Mr. Albanese, while television and radio networks observed a minute of silence across the country, News.com reported.
David Ossip, president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, said, “Just as the grass in Bondi was stained with blood, so too has our country been stained. We have reached a dark place.”
“But friends, Hanukkah teaches us that light can illuminate even the darkest places. An act of courage, a flame of hope, can give us direction and show the way forward,” Mr. Ossip said, according to Reuters.
After organizers rejected the suggestion, Mr Albanese did not speak at the event, fearing he would be criticized. He was ridiculed upon arrival and later when a speaker mentioned his name during the memorial.
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Over the past week, the Prime Minister has faced widespread criticism for not attending the funerals of the victims. He sat in the front row wearing a kippah, the traditional Jewish hat.
In contrast, New South Wales premier Chris Minns received a standing ovation.
,[Minns] There has been no funeral, synagogue service or opportunity to be with the Jewish community this week. Chris, thank you for your leadership,” Mr. Ossip told the crowd.
Also present was the father of shopkeeper Ahmed Al Ahmed, known as the “Bondi Hero” for hiding between cars and snatching a gun from one of the attackers.
“Ahmed has asked me to convey the following message to all of us: ‘God is close to the brokenhearted. Today I stand with you, my brothers and sisters,'” Mr. Ossip said.
Mr Albanese has ordered a review of police and national intelligence agencies after the attack, calling the shootings an “Isis-inspired atrocity” that underlines Australia’s rapidly changing security environment.
“The ISIS-inspired atrocities last Sunday reinforce the rapidly changing security environment in our country,” Mr Albanese said on Saturday. “Our security agencies must be in the best position to respond.”
Officials gave this information on Sunday bondi beach The attack highlighted gaps in gun license evaluation and information-sharing between agencies.
The government has also tightened gun control, while the premier of New South Wales is moving to strengthen laws against hate speech, following Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades.
Authorities are investigating the mass shooting as an act of terrorism targeting Jews.
bondi beach The mass shooting was the most serious of recent anti-Semitic incidents in Australia since Israel invaded Gaza in October 2023, which also included attacks on synagogues, buildings and cars.
Mr Albanese also condemned anti-immigration rallies held in Sydney and Melbourne on Sunday, saying they were aimed “at creating division following last Sunday’s anti-Semitic terrorist attack”.