Albanese Vows to 'Eradicate' Anti-Semitism as Australia Mourns Deadliest Terror Attack in Decades
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared Saturday’s massacre at Bondi Beach “an act of pure evil” and pledged to dedicate every resource necessary to stamp out anti-Semitism, as flags flew at half-mast across Australia and world leaders offered condolences following the deadliest terrorist attack on Australian soil in decades.
Standing before the nation less than 12 hours after gunmen murdered 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered an emphatic condemnation of anti-Semitism and promised sweeping action to protect Australia’s Jewish community in the wake of the country’s deadliest terrorist attack in decades.
“What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of anti-Semitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location,” Albanese said at a joint press conference with the NSW Premier and senior police officials Sunday morning.
The Prime Minister, whose portfolio includes Minister for Public Service according to government records, ordered flags lowered to half-mast across the country as Australians absorbed the horror of Saturday’s beach massacre.
“Flags will fly at half-mast across the country today as we pay our respects to all those lost and all those who have been injured,” Albanese said.
The attack targeted Jewish families celebrating the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach, transforming what should have been a joyous festival into a scene of bloodshed and terror. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87.
“This was an attack deliberately targeted at the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, which of course should be a joyous celebration,” Albanese said. “And the Jewish community are hurting today. Today, all Australians wrap our arms around them and say, we stand with you.”
The Prime Minister pledged to pursue anti-Semitism in all its forms, describing it as a scourge that must be eliminated.
“We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out anti-Semitism. It is a scourge and we will eradicate it together,” he said. “Anti-Semitism is a scourge. It’s been around for a long period of time. We need to do whatever we can to stamp it out.”
Albanese revealed he had already consulted with Jillian Segal, Australia’s first-ever anti-Semitism envoy, as well as Jewish community leaders including Peter Wertheim, in the hours following the attack.
“This morning I’ve already had a discussion with the anti-Semitism envoy, the first one ever appointed in Australia, Jillian Segal,” Albanese said. “Last night I spoke with Peter Wertheim and other leaders of the Jewish community. We’ll continue to work with them.”
The NSW Premier echoed the Prime Minister’s message, describing anti-Semitism as “toxic” and “cancerous” while urging all Australians to actively confront hatred wherever they encounter it.
“We need to send a strong and clear repudiation of anti-Semitism in all of its forms, in all of its forms,” the Premier said. “There is no tolerance for racism or Jewish hatred in New South Wales or Australia, and we need to be clear and unambiguous that we will fight it everywhere we see it.”
The Premier drew a direct connection between public expressions of anti-Jewish sentiment and Saturday’s violence.
“We saw a shocking act of public violence yesterday afternoon, but we’ve seen time after time over the last two years in particular, but even before that, of public acts of anti-Semitism in our community,” the Premier said. “It lights a fire, it’s toxic, it gets into the marrow of a community.”
Both leaders acknowledged that Jewish Australians had been warning for months that such an attack was possible.
“Jewish Australians have been warning that something like this could have happened. They have been petrified for more than 12 months now,” a reporter noted, pressing whether authorities had failed the community.
“My government will continue to stand with Jewish Australians and continue to stand to stamp out anti-Semitism in all of its forms,” Albanese responded. “We have taken strong action. We’ll continue to work with the community.”
World leaders contacted Australia to express solidarity in the aftermath of the attack.
“I thank world leaders who have reached out from President Trump, President Macron, Prime Minister Starmer, others right around the world have reached out to Australia at this time,” Albanese said. “And we thank you for your sympathy and your solidarity with our values.”
The Prime Minister declined to directly address reported criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reportedly blamed Australian authorities for failing to protect the Jewish community.
“This is a moment for national unity. This is a moment for Australians to come together. That’s precisely what we will be doing,” Albanese said when asked about Netanyahu’s comments.
Both leaders emphasized that the attack represented an assault on Australian values of tolerance and multiculturalism.
“Australia will never submit to division, violence or hatred, and we will come through this together,” Albanese said. “We refuse to let them divide us as a nation.”
The Premier characterized the attack as an attempt to fracture Australian society.
“This is an intolerable situation. This is an attempt to break apart our social life, to divide Australian against Australian,” the Premier said.
Legislative action is expected to follow the investigation, with the Premier signaling willingness to reform gun laws and other statutes.
“We will look at whatever is necessary, whatever comes out of this investigation. If there is any action required in terms of legislative response, we will certainly have it,” Albanese said.
The Premier was more direct about likely reforms.
“The short answer is yes. We’re looking at that right now,” the Premier said when asked about gun law changes. “I won’t hesitate to move legislation if it’s required.”
Authorities called on Australians to donate blood to help treat the dozens of wounded victims still in hospitals.
“Emergency departments at the drop of a hat were in the process of saving scores of lives. They did an incredible job, but they need your help. They need blood,” the Premier said.
Albanese concluded by praising ordinary Australians who risked their lives to help victims during the attack.
“To the brave responders, first responders, including ordinary citizens who acted yesterday, thank you for what you do,” he said. “People rushing towards danger to show the best of the Australian character. That’s who we are, people who stand up for our values.”
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