Bondi massacre: Families of victims demand royal commission into rise of anti-Semitism
Families of victims killed or injured in the Bondi Beach terror attack are demanding Anthony Albanese “immediately” establish a royal commission into the rapid rise of antisemitism in Australia.
A strong statement signed by 17 families calling for a national royal commission into “law enforcement, intelligence and policy failures that led to the Bondi Beach massacre” is adding to mounting pressure on the Prime Minister for an independent public inquiry.
Mr Albanese has resisted growing calls for a Commonwealth royal commission, including from Australia’s former chief justice, while also backing NSW plans for a state-based inquiry.
Two weeks after their loved ones were shot, families questioned why Mr Albanese did not support a national royal commission into the deadliest terror attack on Australian soil – even though governments have previously set up royal commissions into banking and aged care.
“We lost our parents, spouses, children and grandparents,” the statement said.
“Our loved ones were celebrating Hanukkah as a festival of light and joy at Bondi Beach, an iconic public space that was supposed to be safe.
“You owe us an answer.
“You owe us responsibility.
“And you owe Australians the truth.”
The statement said the Federal Government’s announcements in response to mass shootings that killed 15 people and injured 40, including a push to tighten gun laws, stronger penalties for hate speech and an internal review by former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson, were “not nearly enough”.
“We demand answers and solutions,” he said.
“We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how anti-Semitic hatred and Islamic extremism were allowed to grow dangerously unchecked, and what changes need to be made to protect all Australians in the future.
“As proud Australians and proud Jews, we have endured relentless attacks for more than two and a half years.
“Our children do not feel safe at school and university.
“Our homes, workplaces, sports fields and public spaces are no longer safe.
“This is an unacceptable situation that no Australian should have to endure.”
The families’ statement warned that the rise of antisemitism in Australia goes far beyond the jurisdiction of a single state.
“This is a national crisis that requires a strong national response,” they said.
“In just a few days following the Bondi attack, a Jewish family’s car was firebombed (in Melbourne) and a man was arrested in WA after (allegedly) posting messages of support while stockpiling weapons and carrying Hamas and Hezbollah flags in the wake of the Bondi attack.
“This threat is real and growing. The dangerous rise of anti-Semitism and radicalism in Australia is not going away.”
“You can’t bring back our loved ones.
“But you could save so much more with a well-run Commonwealth royal commission and strong action.”
Relatives of the victims highlighted the way leaders from across the country came together in an “unprecedented show of public support” for a national royal commission.
They include former chief justice Robert French, who said last week: “The events at Bondi Beach require a response from all of Australia, which transcends politics and whose independence constitutes a powerful force for change.”
Those calling for a royal commission include former Chancellor of the Exchequer Josh Frydenberg, Opposition leader Sussan Ley, WA Opposition leader Basil Zempilas and the family of 2014 Lindt Cafe siege victim Katrina Dawson.
Two Labor MPs, Mike Freelander and Ed Husic, also broke ranks to demand the Commonwealth follow NSW’s lead by launching the highest form of independent inquiry.
On Sunday Mr Frydenberg said the drums were “beating loudly” for the Commonwealth royal commission.
“Today’s intervention by the families of the Bondi victims is extremely significant,” he said.
“No one knows more painfully the high price Australians pay for the government’s failure to protect people from Islamic extremism.
“With recent polls showing the Australian public agrees with the long list of legal, national security and political leaders calling for a royal commission, it is now time for the Prime Minister to listen and act.
“The voices are too loud and too important to ignore.”
Mr Albanese has previously argued the royal commission will not respond quickly enough.
He noted that no royal commission was called after the 1996 mass shooting in Port Arthur, where 35 people were killed, or the siege at Sydney’s Lindt Cafe.
One of the grieving family members who helped put together the statement was Sheina Gutnick, whose father, Reuven Morrison, was killed after he threw a brick at gunman Sajid Akram, 50, at Bondi Beach.
Mr Morrison died while trying to help Ahmed Al-Ahmed wrestle the gun from one of the gunmen.
Al-Ahmed, who was also shot, is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Monday.
The footage shows Mr Morrison running towards the gunman, unprotected, before throwing his makeshift weapon.
“If there was one way for him to navigate this world, it would be to fight a terrorist,” Ms Gutnick later told US broadcaster CBS.
“There was no other way it could be taken from us.
“He died fighting, protecting the people he loved most.”
Other signatories included relatives of Jewish leaders Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, as well as relatives of Boris and Sofia Gurman, the heroic couple who tried to stop the massacre before it began.
Dashcam footage shows Boris, 69, momentarily overpowering Sofia, who was with him, before he was shot and killed.
Great-grandfather Tibor Weitzen, 78, was also remembered as a hero after he died trying to protect a family friend from gunfire.
His grandson Mendy Amzalak, who was the first responder, found his grandfather’s body.
The declaration was signed by the family of the youngest of the victims, 10-year-old Matilda (chosen as the most Australian name possible).
Also represented were the families of 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, Edith Brutman, vice chair of the anti-bias committee, and Tania Tretiak, a 68-year-old grandmother who spent her final moments protecting a child from a hail of bullets.
Talented musician Boris Tetleroyd was with his son at the event when they were both shot.
While his son survived, Mr Tettleroyd died from his injuries.
