Key Takeaways:
- The Australian government’s recognition of Palestine has been linked to the antisemitic Bondi terror attack by senior Coalition politicians.
- Opposition leader Sussan Ley has criticized Foreign Minister Penny Wong for not visiting the site of the attack and for not shedding tears in public.
- There are growing demands for a royal commission into the Bondi attack, with some Labor MPs backing the call.
- The government’s review of the intelligence community has been branded inadequate by the Coalition.
- The issue has sparked a heated debate about antisemitism, extremism, and the government’s response to the attack.
Introduction to the Controversy
The Australian government’s recognition of Palestine has been at the center of a controversy following the antisemitic Bondi terror attack. Senior Coalition politicians, including Opposition leader Sussan Ley, have linked the recognition to the attack, sparking a heated debate about antisemitism, extremism, and the government’s response. Ley has criticized Foreign Minister Penny Wong for not visiting the site of the attack and for not shedding tears in public, saying "I haven’t seen Penny Wong shed a single tear." This statement has been seen as a personal attack on Wong, and has sparked a wider debate about the government’s handling of the situation.
The Coalition’s Criticism
The Coalition has been vocal in its criticism of the government’s response to the attack, with Shadow Minister Bridget McKenzie linking Wong’s failure to visit certain sites of Hamas’ 7 October massacre in Israel to the Bondi massacre. McKenzie claimed that the government’s recognition of Palestine, along with other policies, had "brought this upon us." This statement has been widely criticized, with many arguing that it is unfair to link the government’s recognition of Palestine to the terror attack. Nationals senator McKenzie has also claimed that the problem is "not the gun, it’s Islamic extremism, and it’s in our suburbs," and that the government’s approach to multiculturalism has failed.
The Government’s Response
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has strongly condemned antisemitism and the Bondi attack, calling for a more measured approach to the national debate. Wong has also defended her trip to Israel, which included meeting with Israeli government officials and families of hostages held by Hamas. The government has announced a review of the intelligence community, but this has been branded inadequate by the Coalition. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said that the government wants federal agencies to be "100% focused" on investigating the shooting, rather than being "delayed or deterred by a Royal Commission." However, this response has not satisfied the Coalition, which is demanding a royal commission into antisemitism more broadly.
The Call for a Royal Commission
The call for a royal commission into the Bondi attack is growing, with some Labor MPs backing the call. Federal Labor MPs Mike Freelander and Ed Husic have both expressed support for a federal royal commission, citing "national issues" that need to be addressed. Freelander, who is Jewish, has said that there are "national issues" for the federal government to deal with, while Husic has expressed concern that federal agencies might not be able to participate fully in a state-based inquiry. NSW premier Chris Minns has also announced a state-based royal commission, which he promises will be "as comprehensive as possible."
The Broader Debate
The debate about the Bondi attack and the government’s response has sparked a wider discussion about antisemitism, extremism, and the government’s approach to multiculturalism. The Coalition has demanded a royal commission into antisemitism more broadly, including "attitudes towards… the state of Israel", conduct at universities and in the arts sector, how state and federal agencies responded to counter-terror and extremism, and visa policies. This demand has been seen as an attempt to broaden the debate and to criticize the government’s handling of the situation. However, the government has defended its approach, arguing that it is taking a measured and thoughtful approach to the issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the Bondi attack and the government’s recognition of Palestine has sparked a heated debate about antisemitism, extremism, and the government’s response. The Coalition’s criticism of the government’s handling of the situation has been vocal, with some Labor MPs backing the call for a royal commission. The government’s review of the intelligence community has been branded inadequate, and the issue is likely to continue to be a major point of contention in the coming weeks and months. As the debate continues, it is clear that the issue of antisemitism and extremism will remain a major challenge for the government, and that a thoughtful and measured approach will be needed to address it.
