Netanyahu Blames Albanese for Bondi Beach Attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed on Sunday that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shares part of the responsibility for the recent terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Australia. He suggested that Albanese’s backing of Palestinian statehood, especially after the violent events of October 7, has “emboldened those who threatened Australian Jewry.”

On Sunday, two jihadist terrorists, a father and son duo, carried out a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl, the youngest victim. The attack specifically targeted a large gathering of over 1,000 participants near a playground, which, according to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, was aimed at Sydney’s Jewish community. Authorities reported that two Islamic State (ISIS) flags were discovered in the attackers’ vehicle.

Media outlets in Australia identified the terrorists as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram. Sajid was a gun owner who came to Australia on a student visa in 1998 and later obtained permanent residency along with a firearms permit. Albanese acknowledged that intelligence services had monitored Naveed since 2019, but he wasn’t deemed an immediate threat. Sajid was killed during the attack, while Naveed is in custody.

Nearly four months prior, Netanyahu had written to Albanese warning that the Australian government’s stance was nurturing anti-Semitism within the country. In the letter, he asserted that Albanese’s support for a Palestinian state only exacerbated these tensions.

Netanyahu emphasized that such policies reward Hamas and bolster those who aim to threaten Jewish communities. He described anti-Semitism as a dangerous cancer that thrives in silence but diminishes with decisive actions. He implored Albanese to act with strength rather than compromise.

Netanyahu criticized Albanese for not heeding his warnings, suggesting that instead of taking a firm stand, he has replaced strength with weakness in addressing this issue.

Australia recently unilaterally recognized a Palestinian state, a move met with criticism from Israeli leaders and described by the U.S. as merely “performative.”

In contrast, a Hamas co-founder praised Australia’s acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood, calling it a demonstration of political courage. He urged other nations to follow suit and take tangible actions to support the Palestinian cause.

Albanese responded on Monday, dismissing Netanyahu’s claims as an attempt to politicize the tragedy, labeling them as “groundless” and “dangerous.” He reiterated his ongoing support for a Palestinian state.