Key Takeaways:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was not invited to attend the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a victim of the Bondi massacre, due to strong Jewish backlash against him.
- Former Deputy Liberal Leader Josh Frydenberg launched a scathing attack on Albanese, accusing him of abandoning the Jewish community and failing to take responsibility for the massacre.
- New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced plans to recall the state parliament to pass tougher gun laws and restrict demonstrations during terror alerts.
- Albanese is under pressure to implement the full report of the government’s envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, and to take stronger action against hate speech and antisemitism.
Introduction to the Backlash
In a stark reminder of the strong Jewish backlash against the prime minister, Anthony Albanese was not invited to attend the Wednesday funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, one of the first victims of the Bondi massacre to be farewelled. The emotional gathering at the Chabad of Bondi Synagogue was attended by several high-profile politicians, including New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Opposition leader Sussan Ley, and Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish. Albanese had previously stated that he would attend any funerals he was invited to, making his absence from Rabbi Schlanger’s funeral all the more notable.
Frydenberg’s Scathing Attack
As anger and action continue to mount in the aftermath of the massacre, former Deputy Liberal Leader Josh Frydenberg launched a scathing attack on Albanese, accusing him of abandoning the Jewish community and failing to take responsibility for the massacre. In a passionate speech, Frydenberg said, "We, as a Jewish community, have been abandoned and left alone by our government." He also stated that Albanese had allowed Australia to become radicalized on his watch and that it was time for him to accept personal responsibility for the death of 15 innocent people, including a 10-year-old child. Frydenberg’s attack on Albanese was personal and direct, with him saying, "Your government has failed us. You sit in a chair. It is time you earned that title. If you don’t want to do the job, give it to somebody who will."
Minns’ Response and Gun Control
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced plans to recall the state parliament on Monday and Tuesday to pass tougher state gun laws. Minns also expressed concerns about protests and demonstrations during terror alerts, stating that they could "light a flame that would be impossible to extinguish." He proposed reforms that would allow the police commissioner to reject applications for protests during terror alerts, citing the need to prioritize police resources and community harmony. Minns’ response to the massacre highlights the need for swift and decisive action to address the root causes of the violence and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Role of Radical Islamist Ideology
Frydenberg also emphasized the role of radical Islamist ideology in the massacre, saying, "Guns may have stolen the life of 15 innocent civilians, but it was radical Islamist ideology that pulled the trigger." He called for a royal commission into the massacre and the recent spike in antisemitism, as well as a ban on hate preachers. The younger of the father and son gunmen, Naveed Akram, was a follower of Jihadist preacher Wissam Haddad, who is known for his inflammatory antisemitic language. This highlights the need for the government to take a stronger stance against hate speech and radical ideology.
Government Response and Pressure to Act
Albanese is under pressure from Jewish and other critics to implement the full report of the government’s envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal. However, many in the government believe that some of the more radical recommendations in her report, including stripping funds from universities and cultural organizations that fail to combat antisemitism, are impractical or undesirable. Albanese has stated that he has spoken to Segal daily and is working through the measures in her report, but has not committed to implementing all of the recommendations. The opposition has set up a taskforce on antisemitism, extremism, and counter-terrorism, led by Ley, who has called for leadership on cracking down on hate speech and antisemitism.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The response to the massacre has become deeply partisan, with the opposition calling for stronger action against hate speech and antisemitism. Albanese is facing pressure to take a stronger stance against radical ideology and to implement the recommendations of the Segal report. The government’s response to the massacre will be crucial in determining the next steps in addressing the root causes of the violence and preventing similar incidents in the future. As the investigation into the massacre continues, it is clear that the government must take a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to addressing the complex issues of hate speech, radical ideology, and community safety.