By Gloria Ogbonna
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday placed part of the responsibility for the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, accusing him of pursuing policies that “emboldened those who menace Australian Jews” by supporting Palestinian statehood—even in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas atrocities.
The attack, described by authorities as a targeted act of jihadist terrorism, left at least 15 people dead when a father-and-son pair of terrorists opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
Among the victims was a 10-year-old girl, making her the youngest confirmed fatality in what has become one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in Australian history.
The gunmen struck a “Hanukkah by the Sea” event held near a children’s playground, which had drawn more than 1,000 attendees, including families and young children.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the assault was clearly premeditated and “designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community.” Police later confirmed that two Islamic State (ISIS) flags were recovered from the attackers’ vehicle, reinforcing the assessment that the shooting was ideologically motivated.
Australian media identified the attackers as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Sajid Akram reportedly arrived in Australia on a student visa in 1998 and later obtained permanent residency, as well as a legal firearms license.
Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged on Sunday that Naveed Akram had been known to Australian intelligence agencies since 2019 and had been considered a person of interest, though he was not assessed as posing an imminent threat at the time.
Sajid Akram was killed during the attack after engaging with police, while Naveed Akram was arrested and remains in custody as investigations continue.
Speaking during a government meeting in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said he had warned Albanese months earlier that Australia’s political stance was contributing to a dangerous climate for Jews.
“On August 17, about four months ago, I sent Prime Minister Albanese a letter in which I warned him that the Australian government’s policy was promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia,” Netanyahu said.
In the letter, Netanyahu sharply criticized Albanese’s advocacy for Palestinian statehood, arguing that it sent the wrong message at a time of rising global antisemitism.
“Calling for a Palestinian state at this moment pours fuel on the antisemitic fire,” Netanyahu wrote. “It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets.”
Netanyahu went further, framing antisemitism as a growing global threat that requires decisive leadership.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a government meeting in Dimona:
“On August 17, about 4 months ago, I sent Prime Minister Albanese of Australia a letter in which I gave him warning that the Australian government's policy was promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia pic.twitter.com/lZZDFsa91W
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 14, 2025
“Antisemitism is a cancer,” he wrote. “It spreads when leaders stay silent; it retreats when leaders act. I call upon you to replace weakness with action, appeasement with resolve.”
According to Netanyahu, his warnings went unheeded. He accused Albanese of responding not with strength, but with continued appeasement.
“He ignored this advice,” Netanyahu said, “replaced weakness with weakness and appeasement with more appeasement, and did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia.”
Australia was among several countries that formally recognized a “Palestinian state” in September, a move that drew criticism from Israel and was described by U.S. officials as largely performative. Israeli leaders warned at the time that such recognition risked legitimizing extremist violence and undermining efforts to combat terrorism.
In contrast, Hamas openly praised Australia’s decision. Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a co-founder of the terrorist organization, applauded what he called Australia’s “political courage” and urged other nations to follow suit.
“We call on all countries, especially those that believe in freedom and human dignity, to follow Australia’s example,” Yousef said, “and translate their positions into practical steps to support the Palestinian people and end their suffering under occupation.”
On Monday, Prime Minister Albanese rejected Netanyahu’s criticism, calling it an “unfounded and dangerous shortcut” and accusing the Israeli leader of politicizing a national tragedy. Albanese maintained that support for Palestinian statehood does not equate to support for terrorism and reiterated his government’s position on the issue.
As Australia mourns the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre, the attack has ignited intense debate over national security, intelligence failures, and whether political rhetoric and foreign policy decisions have contributed to a climate in which antisemitic violence can flourish.
Source Breitbrat
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