Bondi Beach shooting: John Howard says leaders shouldn’t be using gun reforms to avoid tackling anti-Semitism
Former prime minister John Howard says Australia’s political leaders should not use the possibility of new gun laws to avoid tackling antisemitism.
“I don’t want this debate, this terrible incident to be published, the focus on weapons being used as an excuse to avoid the wider debate about the spread of hatred against Jewish people and anti-Semitism,” he told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
“That would be an abdication of responsibility.”
Mr Howard called on the Albanian Government to “condemn discrimination against a section of Australian society and do everything within the government’s power to prevent the spread of anti-Semitic behaviour”.
“There is no question that since October 7, 2023, those who hold authority and respect in our society have not done enough to prevent branding and condemn the spread of antisemitism,” he said.
“I hope this horrific incident serves as a wake-up call to those who are asleep at the wheel on this issue.”
This development comes as discussions about tightening gun laws flare up after Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, opened fire on Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach on Sunday. Father and son terrorists murdered 15 innocent people. While Sajid was killed on the spot, Naveed remains hospitalized under police guard and is likely to face charges.
Mr Howard also praised Bondi hero Ahmed al Ahmed for risking his life.
The 43-year-old man is being treated at St George Hospital in Sydney’s south for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds he suffered after wrestling with the gun of one of his attackers.
Mr Howard said: “The standout in this episode was the magnificent man who disarmed one of the evildoers. He deserves the praise he has received all over the world.”
“And of course he identified as Muslim. This is a reminder that this is not about a sectarian divide. This is about pure hatred and for the future, all Australians need to be treated with equal respect, especially the Jewish community in Australia.”
Making clear that tackling anti-Semitism and hatred is key in Australia, Mr Howard said his government’s introduction of national gun laws banning semi-automatic and automatic weapons after the Port Arthur massacre meant no more people were being killed.
“If the weapons banned after Port Arthur had not been banned, the death toll at Bondi would have been much higher,” he said.
