Sydney, Australia: Families of those killed and injured in the Bondi Beach attack have urged the federal government to launch a national inquiry into antisemitism and the security failures behind the tragedy, saying state-level investigations are insufficient.
On December 14, two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and injuring 40 others in what has been described as Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in three decades.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, 17 families of victims demanded a royal commission, the country’s most authoritative investigative body, to examine warning signs that were allegedly overlooked and the broader rise of antisemitic threats since the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict.
“The increase in antisemitism across Australia is a national crisis and cannot be addressed by a single state inquiry,” the families wrote. “We need to understand how extremist ideologies were allowed to escalate unchecked and what measures are required to protect all Australians.”
Prime Minister Albanese, however, has resisted calls for a federal royal commission, citing the lengthy time required for such a process. Instead, he announced a review led by retired bureaucrat Dennis Richardson to examine procedural and legal shortcomings related to the shooting. The review is scheduled to report in April next year.
“My heart goes out to the victims’ families during this unimaginably difficult time,” Albanese said. “Our focus must remain on strengthening national security and preventing future tragedies.” He added that federal authorities would support a royal commission being pursued by New South Wales.
The attack has led to heightened security across Sydney, including at the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Tickets for an annual Bondi music festival have been refunded, while armed police presence will be increased at waterfront events expected to draw over a million spectators.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns confirmed discussions with the federal government about potentially deploying the army to assist with security. The state police operation “Shelter,” established after the 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict, has received additional resources following the Bondi attack to combat antisemitic and hate-driven incidents.
One of the alleged attackers, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed at the scene, while his son Naveed Akram, 24, survived and faces multiple murder charges.
In the aftermath, national attention has also focused on acts of bravery during the attack. Syrian-Australian shopkeeper Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, disarmed one of the gunmen despite being injured, earning widespread praise. A fundraising campaign has raised over 2.5 million Australian dollars ($1.7 million) from more than 43,000 donors globally in his honor.
Melbourne street artist Jarrod Grech recently created a mural depicting al Ahmed as a hospital patient, emblazoned with the phrase “True Blue,” celebrating his courage and the Australian spirit. “I wanted to capture a moment that represents bravery and community values,” Grech said.
As the nation continues to process the tragedy, families insist that only a federal-level investigation can address systemic issues and prevent similar attacks in the future.
