Israel PM rages Australia sparked Bondi terror by recognising Palestinian state | World | News

Israel’s prime minister has accused the Australian government of fostering an environment that encouraged antisemitism in the months before the Bondi Beach terror attack. Benjamin Netanyahu said that he wrote a letter to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the beginning of this year and warned that recognizing the Palestinian state would, in his opinion, “fuel the anti-Semitic fire.” He also said, “History will not forgive hesitation and weakness.”

At least 12 people died and 29 people were injured when gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney earlier today, one of the attackers being shot by the police. Following the shooting, Netanyahu said: “This rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who threaten Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred that now runs rampant in your streets.”

Albanese described the attack on Bondi Beach as “unfathomably bad”, but Jewish leaders criticized his government for failing to address a rising tide of anti-Semitism.

Currently, the State of Palestine is recognized as a sovereign nation by 157 of the 193 UN member states, representing 81% of the international community. Palestine is also recognized by the Vatican, the governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City, which has non-UN observer status.

Authorities also said many more people would have died if a man identified in local media as fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed had not attacked the gunman from behind, who grappled with the gunman and wrestled the gun from the attacker’s hand.

In his speech, Netanyahu described al-Ahmad as a “brave Muslim” who attacked and disarmed one of the gunmen.