Multiple foreign politicians blame Australian government after Bondi Beach shooting
Multiple senior politicians from our overseas allies have explicitly blamed the Albanese government in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack.
Multiple overseas politicians have explicitly blamed the Australian government in the wake of the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, slamming it for its handling of anti-Semitism, as well as its decision to recognise a Palestinian state.
One of the most senior members of the US Senate, Lindsey Graham, took particular issue with the Albanese government’s call on recognition. He brought up the letter one of the Bondi victims, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, recently wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“To the Australian government: you let your people down,” Mr Graham told Fox News.
“The Rabbi that was killed in this attack wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of Australia weeks ago, asking him to reconsider recognising the Palestinian state.
“To every Western government who’s recognised a Palestinian state: you are rewarding killing Jews. It’s the most irresponsible decision I can imagine,” Mr Graham said.
“What state are you recognising? Is it controlled by Hamas? What are you recognising here? ‘When you kill Jews, you get a state?’ You’re going to get more killing of Jews.
“So I would urge the West to get tougher on radical Islam.”
The United States’ official spokespeople, President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were diplomatic by comparison, refraining from issuing any public criticism of the government.
“In Australia, there was a terrible attack,” Mr Trump said, addressing the shooting during remarks at a White House Christmas celebration.
“That was a terrible attack. And that was an anti-Semitic attack, obviously.
“I just want to pay my respects to everybody.”
Mr Rubio stressed the need to “confront and defeat” anti-Semitism.
“As Prime Minister Albanese said, this was an act of evil, anti-Semitism, terrorism,” he said.
“As Jews around the world light Hanukkah candles tonight, they commemorate the triumph of light over darkness and the long history of Jewish resilience in the face of oppression.
“No community should have to fear publicly celebrating their faith and traditions due to the threat of extremist violence and terror. There can be no compromise with anti-Semitism.”
Several Israeli politicians, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were far closer in tone to Mr Graham.
“Your government did nothing to stop the spread of anti-Semitism in Australia. You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country,” Mr Netanyahu said, targeting his remarks at Mr Albanese.
“You took no action. You let the disease spread, and the result is this horrific attack on Jews today,” he added, before addressing Australians.
“It requires the action of your government, which you are not taking. And you have to, because history will not reward hesitation and weakness. It will honour action and strength. That is what Israel expects of each of your governments in the West and elsewhere.
“The disease spreads, and it will consume you as well.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog claimed anti-Semitism is “plaguing Australian society”.
“Our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews,” he said while speaking at an event in Jerusalem.
“We repeat our alerts, time and again, to the Australian government to seek action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society.
“We pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them, and we pray for those who lost their lives.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was, if anything, more scathing.
“These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years,” Mr Saar said in a social media post.
“The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses!”
And Danny Danon, the country’s Ambassador to the United Nations, echoed that stance.
“To be honest with you, we knew it was coming,” he told Fox News.
“We saw what happened in Australia in the last 24 months. The anti-Semitism, the hate, and the fact that the government was silent, complicit with those attacks.
“A weak government that allowed radicals to promote hate. And then we see those horrible scenes of innocent Jews being massacred.”
Other world leaders have limited their statements to expressing condolences and solidarity, while also condemning anti-Semitism.
King Charles slammed the “evil” behind the attack.
“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community,” he said in the message, released by Buckingham Palace.
“We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy.
“In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia – and the light at the heart of the Chanukah Festival – will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.”
Kensington Palace also released a statement from the Prince and Princess of Wales.
“Our thoughts are with every Australian today following the terrible attack at Bondi Beach,” it read.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and stand with the Jewish community in grief. We are also thinking about the bravery of the emergency responders, particularly the two injured officers.”
It was signed “W&C”, for William and Catherine.
Originally published as Multiple foreign politicians blame Australian government after Bondi Beach shooting
