Stabbed bishop takes swipe at those using attack ‘to serve political purposes’

The Sydney bishop who was stabbed in an alleged terror attack has taken a swipe at those who he says are using his assault to serve their political purposes.

In a lavishly produced 11-minute YouTube video – his first public statement since he was stabbed multiple times on April 15 while delivering a livestreamed sermon – Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel commented on eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant’s takedown order of the graphic footage.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told Ray Hadley on Sydney’s 2GB radio on Thursday that platforms such as X had to abide by Australian law and remove the video, but the government cannot be the “internet police of the world” in demanding the removal of the footage globally.

Billionaire Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X, is citing Emmanuel’s defence of free speech in his Federal Court battle, after he defied the eSafety commissioner’s order to remove the footage from the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Australia won a 24-hour injunction at the Federal Court on Monday to hide videos of the stabbing, which was extended until the final hearing on May 10.

Ahead of the May hearing, Emmanuel provided X with an affidavit in support of the images remaining on the platform and used his YouTube video, uploaded on Wednesday night, to condemn those using the attack on him for political purposes.

Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X.Credit: AP

“I do acknowledge the Australian government’s desire to have the videos removed because of their graphic nature; I do not condone any acts of terrorism or violence,” Emmanuel said in a voice-over accompanying footage of him walking the processional route of Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.

“However, noting our God-given right of freedom of speech and freedom of religion, I’m not opposed to the videos remaining on social media. I would be of great concern if people use the attack on me to serve their own political interests to control free speech.”

Dutton said he had no interest in curbing free speech but believed publishers and social media platforms had a responsibility to abide by Australian law.

“We can’t be the internet police of the world … but if we have a situation where you’ve got a cleric being stabbed and that’s inciting violence, then the laws are very clear about the ability to take that down,” he told 2GB.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was attacked during a service on April 15.

“I don’t think the law, as I say, extends to other countries, nor should it.”

On Sunday, Dutton told ABC Insiders host David Speers that there was bipartisan support for tougher measures to rein in social media, and that while he was sure Australian law could not be applied overseas, he thought X and Meta were worried about “the flow on to other markets if Australia’s laws are upheld”.

“That’s all the more reason, I think, for us to take a stance – it’s important for us – but for other democracies as well,” Dutton said.

The bishop’s new video does not contain any footage of the attack and does not directly mention Musk.

One of the teenagers arrested in Wednesday’s counter-terror operation.Credit: NSW Police

Instead, it features extensive footage of him making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, walking the Via Dolorosa with members of his community, and lighting candles at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the heart of the Old City.

Emmanuel has developed a global online following for his conservative positions on COVID measures, trans rights and geopolitics.

The 16-year-old who allegedly stabbed the bishop was charged with a Commonwealth terrorism offence on Friday. In addition, more than 400 officers from the Joint Counter-terrorism Team raided 13 locations across Sydney’s south-west on Wednesday.

Five of the seven young people arrested were charged on Thursday with a range of terrorism and extremism offences in connection with the 16-year-old who allegedly stabbed Emmanuel.

The bishop used his YouTube video to forgive “whoever was behind this”.

“My prayer goes for the person who has done this act,” he said. “I will always love this person … He’s my son and he will always be my son, he’ll always be in my heart and in my prayers and in my thoughts.”

He also said he was praying for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Israel and Palestine.

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