- Albanese supports the NSW-led commission and resists the federal inquiry.
- The minister warns that a national inquiry could amplify the worst voices.
- The families believe that the federal response is not sufficient.
SYDNEY: Families of victims killed in the Bondi Beach shootings called Monday for an independent national inquiry into anti-Semitism in Australia and alleged failures of police, intelligence and policy, they say, enabled the attack.
Father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram are accused of targeting a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14, killing 15 people and injuring dozens in what authorities described as an anti-Semitic terrorist attack.
Seventeen families, in an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, urged him to “immediately establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the rapid rise of anti-Semitism in Australia” and examine “the law enforcement, intelligence and policy failures that led to the Bondi Beach massacre”.
“We demand answers and solutions,” the families wrote.
“We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how anti-Semitic hatred and extremism were allowed to grow dangerously and unchecked, and what changes need to be made to protect all Australians in the future.”
Albanese has resisted calls for a federal investigation, citing the need for urgent action rather than waiting “years for answers.”
“We have to make all the necessary changes,” he told reporters on Monday.
“I have nothing but sympathy for these families. My job as Prime Minister is to look at how we build unity, how we build social cohesion, how we do what the nation needs at this very difficult time.”
Albanese said last week a royal commission led by New South Wales – where the shooting took place – would be enough and pledged his full support.
Canberra announced a series of reforms to laws on gun ownership and hate speech, as well as an inquiry into the police and intelligence services.
Home Secretary Tony Burke warned on Monday that a national royal commission could give “some of the worst statements and worst voices” a platform to relive “the worst examples of anti-Semitism of the last two years”, which he said was not in the interests of unity or national security.
But families of those killed at Bondi Beach said the federal government’s response was “far from enough”.
“We have lost parents, spouses, children and grandparents. Our loved ones were celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach, a festival of light and joy, in an iconic public space that should have been safe,” the letter said.
“You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth.”
The families said the rise in anti-Semitism was a “national crisis,” adding that “the threat is not going away.”
“We need strong action now. We need leadership now. You can’t bring our loved ones back. But with a well-led Commonwealth Royal Commission and strong action, you may be able to save many more.”
One of the gunmen, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot and killed by police during the attack. An Indian national, he entered Australia on a visa in 1998.
His son Naveed, 24, an Australian-born citizen, remains in custody and faces multiple charges, including terrorism and 15 murders, as well as committing a “terrorist act” and planting a bomb with intent to harm.
