Calls for greater Bondi police presence went unheeded
In the wake of a major tragedy such as the attack on Bondi Beach, which killed 15 people and injured dozens more, the balance between thought and action is difficult to strike.
Is there any use in trying to understand how something so meaningless came to be? Yes, we should. The public demands this. The grieving Jewish community deserves it.
And something must change. So what should be done, and what is acceptable to do, to ensure, as far as possible, that such a tragedy never happens again?
The question that remains in mind about the circumstances that led to the events of December 14 is to what extent the police were prepared for the attack.
Max Maddison, Elias Visontay and Riley Walter reported today that NSW Police ignored demands from a Jewish volunteer security organization for a stronger police presence ahead of the deadly Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration, even after the security group rated the event as high risk.
NSW Police refuse to confirm the truth of the reportstating that the circumstances are currently subject to three separate ongoing investigations: critical incident investigation, criminal investigation and judicial investigation.
Over time, through the reflection caused by these three investigations, we can understand that not a single police officer was permanently assigned to the incident.
Following last Sunday’s bout of reflection, this week the NSW government made the decision to take action.
In the recalled parliament, Prime Minister Chris Minns introduced the legislative package he developed in response to the December 14 tragedy.
The omnibus bill criminalizes the display of terrorist symbols, such as the ISIS flag; imposes significant restrictions on the possession of firearms; and allows the police commissioner to prevent protests occurring for up to three months following a terrorist incident; This is a power that NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon exercised less than 24 hours after the bill was passed.
Restrictions on protests are controversial and will be subject to constitutional challenge. They came after Australia’s ambassador on antisemitism described a pro-Palestinian protest at the Harbor Bridge in August as a “warning” that a tragedy like December 14 could occur.
But whatever their ability to combat antisemitism, a crackdown on protests could not assuage the Jewish community’s concerns about police indifference at the Hanukkah Seaside event.
Aspect reporter‘s chief reporter, Jordan Baker, wrote in the days after the attack that it was general duty cops (the kind who usually handle motor vehicle crashes, burglaries and bar fights) who took responsibility for stopping them. Deadliest attack Australia has witnessed in 30 years.
It is crucial that planned investigations into the circumstances leading up to the tragedy at Bondi determine whether police should have been better prepared to deal with the incident, particularly given what is now known about concerns previously raised by the Jewish community.
It is unacceptable that these concerns are ignored. The Jewish community deserves to know the cause of this suffering.
Get a weekly opinion pack that will challenge, defend and inform your own views. Sign up for our opinion newsletter.
Herald’s Opinion – Since the Herald was first published in 1831, the editorial team has believed that it is important for readers to express a considered view on the issues of the day and always put the public interest first.
