Author: News Desk

Australian Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese has committed to allocate “every single resource required” to tackle antisemitism in the country following the tragic shooting at Bondi Beach, where a father and son killed at least 16 individuals during a religious celebration by the Jewish community.

With law enforcement confirming that the weapons used in the shooting were licensed since 2015, the premier said that the federal government would contemplate stricter gun laws, including capping the number of firearms an individual can own, and conducting more frequent reviews of gun licenses.

Earlier, the 50-year-old father died on the spot while his 24-year-old son is in critical condition.

Media reports have identified the assailants as Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram, with law enforcement noting that one of the suspects had been previously known to them but was not viewed as an immediate threat.

Two Islamic State flags were also reportedly discovered from the attackers’ vehicle after the attack, which was characterized by PM Albanese as “pure evil” and a blatant act of antisemitism. 

He vowed to foster national unity in response, saying, “The Jewish community is in pain today. All Australians embrace them and say, we stand with you. We will do whatever is necessary to eliminate antisemitism.” 

This incident has amplified calls for action from political leaders and special envoys. Jillian Segal, the government’s special envoy for combating antisemitism, called for the expedited implementation of her July recommendations, stressing that merely denouncing hate is insufficient.

Her suggestions entail tighter regulations on antisemitic actions and protests, improved visa screening, and oversight of institutions that fail to address antisemitism.

Opposition members, including Liberal leader Sussan Ley and former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, criticised the government for inadequate measures. Ley stated that antisemitism “has been left to fester” and demanded immediate legislative reforms and increased security for Jewish community sites.

NSW Premier Chris Minns also denounced antisemitism and emphasised the need for both societal and legislative measures. He also confirmed that the state government was reviewing gun regulations after finding that one of the shooters held multiple firearms under existing licenses. 

The Bondi shooting has elicited international outcry, including criticism from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused the Australian government of not doing enough to combat antisemitism.

A Pakistani namesake of the Bondi Beach gunman has become the victim of a coordinated misinformation campaign after Indian media outlets falsely linked him to the deadly attack that killed at least 15 people on Sunday.

The shooting took place during a Hanukkah gathering where assailants deliberately targeted the Jewish community. Law enforcement identified the suspects as a father and son, revealing that the father, 50, was killed at the scene, while his son, 24, remained in critical condition.

Authorities confirmed the son was born in Australia whereas the father, 50, had entered the country on student visa and later secured a partner visa. While police have not publicly disclosed the attackers’ country of origin or officially released the attackers’ names, local media identified one suspect as Naveed Akram.

The reports were followed by Indian and Israeli media outlets claiming the attacker had “links to Pakistan”, publishing fake images on social media.

Despite no official statement, some Indian reports went on to claim the suspect was a “Pakistani national from Lahore” or of “Pakistani-origin”.

The misinformation campaign ended up targeting an innocent Pakistani namesake of the attacker.

In a video on social media, Naveed Akram addressed the false reports.

“Today I’m going to talk about a very serious and terrible incident that has happened in Bondi Beach and so many people have been killed and I really condemn that attack. That should not have happened,” he said.

On claims regarding the identity of one of the shooters, Akram said some social media accounts had taken pictures from his Facebook account and linked him to the shooter.

“I’m going to clearly tell everyone that it is not me and I have nothing to do with that incident or with that person. That is a different person and I am completely outside of this matter.”

“This issue is very serious and I’m very stressed and scared about this and I cannot even go outside safely. I’m traumatized right now. Firstly, because something has happened over there. And secondly because my pictures have been shared by different accounts, which is putting my life at risk.”

“I just want everyone’s help to stop this propaganda. Please, if you see any posts that have my pictures, report that account and do not spread that thing because it can turn very dangerously against me,” he concluded.