Australian sports stars call for inquiry into Bondi massacre

Other signatories include tennis star Lleyton Hewitt, NRL commentator Brad Fittler, former swimmers Michael Klim and Dawn Fraser, surfer Mick Fanning, Olympic kayaker Jessica Fox and skater Steven Bradbury.

AFL signings included Collingwood player Scott Pendlebury, Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon and Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan. Those in Sydney include Swans player Isaac Heeney, manager Dean Cox, former coach John Longmire and former GWS Giants player Phil Davis.

Last Sunday, 17 families related to the Bondi victims made their own call for a royal commission in an open letter; This demand is now being made by the Business Council of Australia, more than 100 industry leaders, and more than 200 judges and lawyers. The Coalition and Albanese’s two backup men.

This week’s Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference stressed that the church did not want to politicize the issue but agreed that a national inquiry was needed; Australian human rights commissioner Lorraine Finlay was the first public official to openly support a royal commission.

While leading Muslim associations have not put forward their views – although the Federation of Islamic Councils of Australia has previously warned that a narrow or politicized process could entrench division – leading advocate Robert Richter has argued that a royal commission would be premature and dangerous if it were specifically framed around defining antisemitism.

Albanese has repeatedly argued that the Commonwealth royal commission would not provide the urgent response needed after two gunmen inspired by Islamic State ideology traveled to Bondi and opened fire on Jewish people celebrating Hanukkah, killing 15 people.

The federal government instead pointed to its actions since December 14: accepting far-reaching recommendations from anti-Semitic ambassador Jillian Segal, supporting a NSW-based royal commission, query to federal agencies Led by former intelligence chief Dennis Richardsonand promotion Hate speech and gun laws are tougher.

Albanese and his ministers also claimed that a royal commission was not the preferred way of dealing with intelligence matters and expressed concerns that the inquiry would uncover the worst examples of anti-Semitic hate speech.

However, people’s demands continued. Some of the signatories of Sunday’s sports letter had political backgrounds: former Liberal MP John Alexander and former Labor senator Peris.

Peris has been a strong public supporter of Israel. Last year, X was the subject of controversy after making many anti-Islamic posts. We see Muslims as “cockroaches that must be destroyed.” He later distanced himself from the posts and said he did not share the views expressed.

One of the signatories, former AFL player and TV presenter Sam Newman, also made offensive remarks about Muslim Australians, suggesting they did not share common interests with Australian values. Earlier this year, Newman was criticized for inviting two Australian neo-Nazis onto his podcast.

Thorpe said there should be no place for hate in Australia. “The hatred experienced by the Jewish community and our entire community in Bondi and beyond was disgusting, unjust and unlike the Australia I know and love,” he said.

“Unfortunately, Jews are not the only group targeted by hate. First Nations people, people of different faiths, ethnic backgrounds and even LGBTIQ+ people are among those increasingly subjected to vilification and targeted violence.

“Governments at both the federal and state levels must now do everything they can to protect all communities exposed to hate and violence.”

The sport’s open letter acknowledges that a number of Australian leaders have met with families of Bondi victims to call for a royal commission into antisemitism, radicalization and the events leading up to the massacre at Bondi Beach on 14 December.

“This attack did not occur in isolation. It followed more than two years of rising extremism, intimidation and unchecked radicalization in Australia. What unfolded at Bondi was an act of terrorism driven by violent extremist ideology, and its consequences shook the foundations of our national security and social cohesion,” they said.

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“This is a national crisis and requires a national response. This is bigger than politics. This is about the character of our country and the character of Australia that we want future generations to inherit.”

Hackett said the tragedy at Bondi was a defining moment of “who we are as a nation”.

“When our values ​​are tested, Australians expect strength and leadership,” he said. “A Commonwealth royal commission is vital to preserving our social fabric, supporting the Jewish community and sustaining the Australian way of life we ​​are proud to call our own. Our response must match the gravity of this moment.”

In the statement, it was stated that the eyes of the world will soon be on Australia with the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane and the values ​​that Australia reflects as a nation have never been more important.

He describes the royal commission as “the most credible and unifying way to understand what went wrong, ensure accountability, restore social harmony and move Australia forward with a meaningful, practical plan of action”.

“As Australians who have long championed unity and national pride on the field and beyond, we implore our leaders to act with urgency and moral clarity,” the statement said. “The security of Australians and the future harmony of our nation depend on it.”