Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has apologised to Jewish Australians and the community for the pain caused by the horrific Bondi terror attack, in which 15 people were killed and 40 more were injured during a Hanukkah celebration.
During a press conference on Monday, Albanese admitted that he felt “the weight of the responsibility” for the hurt caused by the Bondi terror attack.
His apology comes after he was booed at the Sunday vigil, which honoured the lives lost during the tragic incident.
“Emotions were raw, and a lot of people in the community are hurting and angry, and some of that anger was directed towards me, and I understand that,” Albanese said, per The Guardian.
“As Prime Minister, I feel the weight of responsibility for an atrocity that happened whilst I’m Prime Minister and I’m sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation as a whole has experienced.”
Alongside the apology, the Prime Minister called for unity, stating that as a community “we’ll get through this together”.
Following the attacks, the Federal Government has faced criticism from both the Coalition and members of the Jewish community, with some accusing it of not cracking down on antisemitism.
According to The Guardian, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher stated that she was surprised by the political attacks against the government stemming from the incident.
“I can’t think of another time in this country’s history where there has been a terrorist event like this, a terrorist attack on Australian citizens, whether it be here or internationally, where the opposition has chosen to take the path that they have this week,” Gallagher said.
“I think in almost every other example, you would have seen the opposition work with the government and try to work with the government. That has not been the approach, and I think that’s incredibly unfortunate.”
Ahead of Sunday’s vigil, Albanese announced a review into the ASIO and law enforcement agencies following the attacks, with the review set to be completed and published in April.
The PM also announced new hate speech laws, which are set to directly target “hate preachers” in the wake of the Bondi attack.
Albanese also defended his decision not to call a federal royal commission into the Bondi attacks, despite urgency from the Coalition and other Labor MPs.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said a state-based royal commission needs to take place to prevent further attacks, in which Albanese said he would “support whatever action the NSW government takes”.
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