Australia’s prime minister was booed at a ceremony mourning the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney on Sunday.
Two gunmen, a father and son, killed 15 people when they opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration on the first day of the eight-day Jewish holiday on 13 December.
The federal and New South Wales state governments declared Sunday a national Day of Reflection, with thousands of mourners gathered under tight police security at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach.
Anthony Albanese was among the dignitaries at the commemoration that drew more than 10,000 people. The crowd booed Mr Albanese when his presence was acknowledged. Opposition leader Sussan Ley, who had said that a conservative government led by her would reverse a decision made by Mr Albanese's centre-left Labour Party government this year to recognise a Palestinian state, was cheered.
Mr Albanese has ordered a review of the country's law enforcement and intelligence agencies following the devastating attack. He said the review will examine whether federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies had the correct powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe.
"The Isis-inspired atrocity last Sunday reinforces the rapidly changing security environment in our nation. Our security agencies must be in the best position to respond," the prime minister said in a statement, adding that the review would conclude by the end of April.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said victims’ families felt “tragically, unforgivably let down” by government failures to combat a growth in antisemitism in Australia since the war between Israel and Hamas began in 2023.
“I’ve spent time with the families of the victims. They’re just in a bewildered state. They’re still in shock. They don’t know what to do with themselves, let alone contemplate moving forward and healing,” Mr Ryvchin said.
“There’s a lot of anger in the community now as well. I think we’re cycling through the various emotions, the various stages, and there’s a real feeling of having been let down and betrayed. And the community wants answers and we want change,” he added.
Images of the victims, aged 10 to 87, were projected at the commemoration. "Waltzing Matilda" was sung in honour of the youngest victim, whose Ukrainian parents gave their Australian-born daughter what they described as the most Australian name they knew.
A widely acclaimed hero of the massacre, Ahmed al Ahmed, sent a message of support from his hospital bed. The Syrian-born immigrant was shot after wrestling a shotgun from one of the gunmen.
"The Lord is close to the broken-hearted. Today I stand with you, my brothers and sisters," he said.
His father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, was invited to light a candle on the Jewish candelabrum known as a menorah on the final night of Hanukkah.
Health department authorities said 13 of those wounded at Bondi remain in Sydney hospitals.
They include alleged gunman Naveed Akram, 24, who was shot by police. He has been charged with 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of causing harm with intent to murder in relation to those wounded.
His father Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene.
"This has to be the nadir of antisemitism in our country," New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip told the crowd at Bondi Beach. "This has to be the moment when light starts to eclipse the darkness."
Indigenous leaders held a traditional smoking ceremony on Sunday morning at the waterfront Bondi Pavilion, where an impromptu memorial has grown over the past week.
Rabbi Levi Wolff said: “Australians appreciate that this is an attack that wasn't just against the Jewish people – we're an easy target – but this is an attack on the Australian values and they will come here and they will stand together with us shoulder-to-shoulder as they have over the last week to tell the people in this country that there is no tolerance for hate. Violence has no place in our beautiful country.”
A day after the attack, an emergency meeting of federal and state leaders committed to tightening national gun laws with measures including limiting the number of guns an individual can own. Sajid Akram legally owned six guns, including two shotguns and two bolt-action rifles used at Bondi.
The New South Wales state parliament will sit on Monday to debate new hate speech and gun draft laws.
Australian PM booed at Sydney vigil as government announces intelligence review
Australia marks Day of Reflection for Bondi Beach shooting victims
‘Intifada’ chant to be banned by Australian state after Bondi massacre
Australian state premier apologises after husband caught drink driving
Australia calls on gun owners to give up firearms after Bondi attack
Australia to tighten hate speech laws after Bondi Beach terror attack
