A stark display of public sentiment unfolded at a vigil for the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre, where Australia's political leaders received dramatically different receptions from a grieving and angry crowd. The event, held near Bondi Pavilion on Sunday night, laid bare the community's frustration with the federal response to rising antisemitism.
A Chilling Welcome for the Prime Minister
The vigil, organised as a Day of Reflection declared by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, took a tense turn as soon as he arrived. Flanked by a large security detail, he was immediately met with loud boos from the assembled crowd of approximately 15,000 people. The hostility escalated when one man charged towards the Prime Minister, yelling 'blood on your hands'.
This anger was repeated later when David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, thanked Albanese for attending. Despite Ossip's attempts to quiet the crowd, the booing persisted. In sharp contrast, former Prime Minister John Howard was cheered as he entered, and NSW Premier Chris Minns received a standing ovation when acknowledged.
The Root of the Public Anger
The crowd's reaction is directly linked to the ongoing debate over the government's handling of antisemitism and the aftermath of the December 14 attack. The alleged terrorist, Naveed Akram, alongside his father Sajid, is accused of opening fire at a Jewish festival celebrating Hanukkah, killing 15 innocent people and injuring dozens. Sajid was fatally shot by police, and Naveed faces 59 criminal charges.
In the days following the tragedy, many in the Jewish community demanded a federal royal commission to investigate why intelligence agencies failed to intervene. Instead of heeding these calls, Prime Minister Albanese announced on Sunday an internal investigation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). David Ossip used his speech at the vigil to publicly back a royal commission, a move met with loud approval from the audience.
A Tale of Two Leadership Responses
The differing public perception of Minns and Albanese stems from their contrasting approaches to accountability and empathy since the attack. Premier Minns has attended every funeral for the Bondi victims and has repeatedly acknowledged his state government's failings. On ABC's 7.30 program, he stated, "I'm sure if we had our time again, we would have responded differently."
Conversely, Prime Minister Albanese, who will not attend funerals unless invited, has been less direct. He told reporters he was 'not perfect' and that anyone in his position 'would regret not doing more'. This perceived lack of decisive action and accountability has fuelled the community's distress, particularly against a backdrop of surging antisemitism since the Hamas incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023.
Mr Ossip concluded the emotional vigil with a message of resilience, declaring the Jewish community 'unbreakable'. However, the clear divide in the crowd's reaction underscores a profound loss of trust and a pressing demand for more robust action from the highest levels of government to address the safety of all Australians.
