ANALYSIS: Australia Prime Minster Albanese faces Israel pressure after Bondi Beach attack

SYDNEY – A deadly attack on a Jewish festival at the famous Bondi Beach in Australia has intensified diplomatic tensions between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while domestic pressure is mounting on the Australian government to address rising antisemitism.

On Monday, Albanese called for national unity and pledged that his government would take whatever action necessary. This came after Netanyahu accused the Australian leader of "doing nothing" to curb antisemitism, which has been on the rise since 2023.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Jewish community leaders expressed their dismay. Levi Wolff, the lead rabbi at Sydney's Central Synagogue, told Reuters at Bondi Beach, where his friend was killed on Sunday, “There has been a shocking level of antisemitism that has been rearing its head in this country, as it has in other countries. When antisemitism goes unchecked from the top, these are the things that happen.”

At a press briefing, Albanese outlined several measures his government had already taken, including criminalizing hate speech and incitement to violence, as well as imposing a ban on the Nazi salute. He also promised additional funding for the physical security of Jewish community groups and emphasized the need for stricter gun laws in Australia, which already has some of the most restrictive firearms regulations in the world.

However, a special envoy appointed by the government last year to address a wave of graffiti and arson attacks on synagogues and Jewish businesses stated that Sunday’s terrorist attack “did not come without warning,” and further action was needed. “The writing has been on the wall,” said Jillian Segal, the envoy, in a radio interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

'EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE'

The leader of Australia's conservative Liberal opposition party, Sussan Ley, criticized Labor for allowing antisemitism to "fester." “Everything must change from today in how governments respond,” Ley said during a press conference, urging Albanese to implement all of the recommendations made in Segal’s July report, particularly with a focus on university campuses.

When the report was released, Albanese condemned antisemitism as an "evil scourge" and pledged A$25 million to enhance security at Jewish community sites, including schools, among other measures. He also emphasized the importance of distinguishing antisemitism from legitimate criticism of the Israeli government. “You should be able to express your view here in Australia about events overseas. Where the line has been crossed is in blaming and identifying people because they happen to be Jewish,” Albanese said in July.

In addition to calling for stronger hate crime laws, Segal recommended tougher screening of visa applicants for antisemitic views, as well as increased scrutiny on universities, cultural organizations, and broadcasters. However, Giridharan Sivaraman, Australia's race discrimination commissioner, voiced concerns, stating that some of the proposed measures raised human rights issues and that all forms of racism were a significant problem.

According to the 2021 census, approximately 116,967 Australians identify as Jewish, making up 0.46% of the national population of 25 million. The majority live in inner Sydney and Melbourne.

PROTESTS AGAINST ISRAEL

The Labor government has been cautious in balancing Australia's multicultural society, which includes a significant and politically influential Lebanese migrant community. Since 2023, New South Wales state police have permitted weekly protest marches in Sydney against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Tensions between Australia and Israel have escalated since August, when Israel revoked the visas of Australian diplomats in the occupied Palestinian territories. Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, described this as an “unjustified reaction” following Australia’s decision to recognize Palestine.

In the same month, Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador after intelligence agencies linked at least two antisemitic arson attacks to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Meanwhile, Australia’s conservative political parties are expected to announce a new immigration policy before Christmas. They are facing pressure from the populist anti-migration party, One Nation, which has gained significant support in recent months. One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson told 4BC radio that the Australian government’s leniency on border policy was partly to blame for the attack in Bondi. "We have to take a strong stand on who we bring into the country," Hanson said.

Immigration Minister Tony Burke confirmed that the 24-year-old gunman was born in Australia, while his father, who was the second suspected shooter and died in the attack, had immigrated to Australia in 1998. Burke also highlighted the heroism of bystander Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian Muslim who, according to local media, was credited with disarming one of the gunmen.

“It is very difficult to prevent single acts of terror,” said former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who previously represented Bondi’s large Jewish community in parliament. -Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Saad Sayeed/Reuters