Albanese Booed at Bondi Beach Vigil as Australia Reels From Hanukkah Attack
Thousands gather at Bondi Beach memorial for Hanukkah victims; the prime minister is booed, opposition leader Ley is cheered, and Netanyahu condemns Australia’s handling of antisemitism and Palestinian-state recognition.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced boos Sunday as he joined about 10,000 mourners at Bondi Beach for a memorial honoring the victims of the Hanukkah weekend attack. The vigil drew politicians, Jewish community leaders, and residents who gathered along the shoreline to remember those killed and injured in the Dec. 14 shooting.
David Ossip, president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, told the crowd, "This has to be the nadir of antisemitism in our country." The remark drew a chorus of boos from portions of the audience. The crowd greeted the mention of Opposition Leader Sussan Ley with applause; Ley has said a Ley-led coalition would reverse the Albanese government's move to recognize a Palestinian state.
Political tensions surrounding Australia’s Israel policy were on display at Bondi Beach. Jewish leaders and Israeli officials have criticized the government for not acting on warning signs of rising antisemitism in the months before the attack. The vigil underscored a broader debate about national policy toward Israel and the Palestinian state recognition.
Communities and authorities described a complicated path forward. The Dec. 14 attack left 15 people dead and dozens hospitalized. The shooters were a father-son duo; the father was killed in the attack. The son, Naveed Akram, 24, woke from a coma after suffering injuries and faces charges of murder and terrorism.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Albanese's handling of antisemitism, citing a letter Netanyahu said he sent to Albanese earlier this year when Australia moved to recognize a Palestinian state. Netanyahu argued the move "pours fuel on the antisemitic fire."
Australian authorities also stepped up security operations. Anti-terror police detained seven men as investigators continued to untangle the attack and its motives. The country laid to rest the youngest Bondi Beach victim as the investigation broadened to examine how warnings about antisemitism were interpreted by authorities. The incident has raised questions about how governments monitor and respond to rising antisemitism, both domestically and in relation to Israel policy.