Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese booed at Sydney vigil as authorities broadcasts intelligence evaluate | EUROtoday

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese was booed by sections of the gang at a memorial in Sydney on Sunday as Australia marked a National Day of Reflection for victims of final week’s antisemitic gun assault at Bondi Beach.

Fifteen individuals have been killed and dozens wounded when two gunmen opened hearth throughout Hanukkah celebrations on the seaside on Sunday final week.

Tens of 1000’s of individuals, together with the prime minister and a number of other different leaders, attended the vigil at Bondi Beach beneath a heavy police presence that included snipers on rooftops.

At least one member of the gang shouted “blood on your hands” at Mr Albanese, News.com reported, whereas tv and radio networks noticed a minute of silence nationwide.

“Like the grass here at Bondi was stained with blood, so, too, has our nation been stained. We have landed up in a dark place,” David Ossip, the president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, mentioned.

“But friends, Hanukkah teaches us that light can illuminate even the bleakest of places. A single act of courage, a single flame of hope, can give us direction and point the path forward,” Mr Ossip mentioned, in response to Reuters.

Mr Albanese didn’t communicate on the occasion after organisers declined the suggestion, anticipating he can be booed. He was jeered upon arrival and once more later when a speaker talked about his title through the memorial.

Over the previous week, the prime minister has confronted widespread criticism for not attending the funerals of the victims. He sat within the entrance row carrying a kippah, the standard Jewish cap.

In distinction, New South Wales premier Chris Minns obtained a standing ovation.

“[Minns] has not missed a funeral, a synagogue service or the opportunity to be with the Jewish community this week. Thank you, Chris, for your leadership,” Mr Ossip informed the gang.

Also current was the daddy of shopkeeper Ahmed al Ahmed, hailed because the “Bondi Hero” for ducking between automobiles and wrestling a gun from one of many attackers.

“Ahmed has asked me to pass on the following message to us all: ‘The Lord is close to the broken-hearted. Today I stand with you, my brothers and sisters’,” Mr Ossip mentioned.

Mr Albanese has ordered a evaluate of police and nationwide intelligence companies following the assault, describing the capturing as an “Isis-inspired atrocity” that underscored Australia’s quickly altering safety atmosphere.

“The Isis-inspired atrocity last Sunday reinforces the rapidly changing security environment in our nation,” Mr Albanese mentioned on Saturday. “Our security agencies must be in the best position to respond.”

Authorities mentioned on Sunday the Bondi Beach assault uncovered gaps in gun licence assessments and information-sharing between companies.

In the aftermath of Australia’s deadliest mass capturing in almost three many years, the federal government has additionally flagged tighter gun controls, whereas the New South Wales premier is shifting to strengthen legal guidelines in opposition to hate speech.

Authorities are probing the mass capturing as an act of terrorism focusing on Jews.

The Bondi Beach mass capturing was probably the most severe in a string of current antisemitic incidents in Australia, together with assaults on synagogues, buildings and automobiles, since Israel invaded Gaza in October 2023.

Mr Albanese additionally condemned anti-immigration rallies held on Sunday in Sydney and Melbourne, saying they sought to “sow division in the aftermath of last Sunday’s antisemitic terrorist attack”.