Key Takeaways:
- A community vigil was held at Bondi Beach to honor the victims and survivors of the antisemitic terrorist attack that occurred a week earlier.
- Thousands of people attended the event, which featured speeches from community leaders, politicians, and faith leaders.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed and heckled by the crowd, while NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane received a standing ovation.
- The event called for a Commonwealth royal commission into the terrorist attack and for increased action to address rising antisemitism.
- The vigil was a show of solidarity and defiance against hate and violence, with attendees vowing to continue to practice their faith and traditions without fear.
Introduction to the Vigil
The Jewish community in Sydney gathered at Bondi Beach for a solemn act of mournful defiance, one week after a devastating antisemitic terrorist attack that left 15 people dead. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies community vigil was attended by thousands of people, who came to honor the victims and survivors of the attack. The event was held on the final night of the festival of Hanukkah, and it was a powerful show of solidarity and resilience in the face of hate and violence.
The Event and its Significance
The vigil began with a moment of silence at 6:47pm, exactly one week after the attack began. The crowd was somber and reflective, with many people holding candles and wearing Jewish symbols. The event featured speeches from community leaders, politicians, and faith leaders, who all condemned the attack and called for increased action to address rising antisemitism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed and heckled by the crowd, while NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane received a standing ovation. The contrast between the reception of the two Labor leaders was stark, with many in the crowd feeling that Albanese had not done enough to address concerns about antisemitism.
Calls for Action and Solidarity
The event was not just a moment of mourning, but also a call to action. Many speakers urged the government to do more to address rising antisemitism and to take concrete steps to prevent such attacks from happening again. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president, David Ossip, called for a Commonwealth royal commission into the attack, and urged Australians to step up and create a society that is inclusive and respectful of all faiths and traditions. The crowd was also addressed by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who drew on the contribution of Jewish Australians to the country’s history and culture, and urged Australians to commit to being a nation where every person has the right to belong in peace and safety.
Tributes and Reflections
The event featured many moving tributes to the victims of the attack, including 10-year-old Matilda, who was the youngest person killed. Singer David Campbell sang Waltzing Matilda in her honor, while the crowd lit candles and waved their phone torches in the air. The event also featured a tribute to Ahmed Al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the gunmen, and to the many first responders and community members who helped to save lives on the night of the attack. The crowd was also addressed by Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, who invoked the example of his friend Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was killed in the attack, and who sought to unify Jews and non-Jews to create a better world.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The vigil was a powerful show of solidarity and defiance against hate and violence, and it marked an important moment in the healing process for the Jewish community in Sydney. The event was also a call to action, with many speakers urging Australians to step up and create a society that is inclusive and respectful of all faiths and traditions. As the community begins to rebuild and heal, it is clear that there is much work to be done to address rising antisemitism and to prevent such attacks from happening again. The vigil was a important step in this process, and it will be followed by many more events and initiatives in the coming weeks and months. Ultimately, the goal is to create a society where every person can practice their faith and traditions without fear, and where hate and violence are never tolerated.
