Former PM Howard Says Bondi Attack Response ‘Failed’ Jewish Community
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Former PM John Howard slams the Albanese government’s “weak” response to anti-semitism following the Bondi terror attack, labelling proposed gun law changes a “diversion” from the core issue of rising hate.
“Weasel Words” and Weak Leadership
In a fiery Sky News interview two days after the Bondi terror attack—described as the worst since Port Arthur—former Prime Minister John Howard accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of failing to protect Jewish Australians. Howard argued the government’s “backed and filled” approach and use of “weasel words” has allowed antisemitism to fester over the last two years since October 7, 2023. He explicitly criticized the “premature recognition” of a Palestinian state as “needlessly provocative” and driven by internal party pressures rather than national interest.
Gun Laws as a “Diversion”
While acknowledging his own legacy with the 1996 Port Arthur gun reforms, Howard dismissed the current government’s pivot to tightening firearm restrictions as a “diversion” from the ideological drivers of the attack. He warned that while updating laws is sensible, using them to avoid addressing the failure to combat antisemitism is “not fair dinkum”. Howard emphasized that the “evil intent” of the attackers was the primary issue, noting that even with strict laws, the tragedy occurred, though he conceded more lives might have been lost without the 1996 bans.
A Call for Unity, Not Division
Howard praised the “magnificent” Muslim man who tackled the gunman, using the act to highlight that courage transcends religion and that the attack shouldn’t be used to vilify the broader Muslim community. He recalled his own efforts to “reach out to Muslim brothers and sisters” during the Iraq War as a necessary act of leadership, contrasting it with what he sees as Albanese’s failure to unequivocally support the Jewish community without “equivocation”. He expressed deep concern that Jewish Australians, some residents for 70 years, no longer feel safe in their own country.
What is the “Bondi Attack”?
The “Bondi Attack” refers to a recent terror incident in Bondi, Sydney, identified in the transcript as the “worst terror attack since Port Arthur” (1996). While specific casualty numbers aren’t detailed in this text, the event involved a gunman and has reignited intense national debates around terrorism, gun control, and social cohesion. The attack has specifically targeted the Jewish community, drawing international attention and placing the Albanese government under pressure for its handling of domestic security and hate speech.
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