Netanyahu accuses Albanese of fueling antisemitism after Sydney beach shooting

Netanyahu accuses Albanese of fueling antisemitism after Sydney beach shooting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed Australian PM Anthony Albanese for fueling antisemitism in Australia, Reuters reported, after calling the shooting a "cold-blooded murder."

This comes after a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah (a Jewish festival) event in Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday night.

The attack, which occurred during the first night of Hanukkah, left at least 16 people dead and one suspected gunman killed.

Australian authorities have described the incident as a targeted antisemitic attack.

Netanyahu's letter to Albanese

Netanyahu reminded that he had warned Albanese in August about the rise of antisemitism due to Australia's policies, namely, the support for Palestinian statehood.

He had written, "Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. It rewards Hamas terrorists."

The Israeli PM accused Albanese's government of "doing nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia," adding, "You let the disease spread, and the result is horrific attacks on Jews we saw today."

Albanese's response to the Bondi Beach shooting

In response to the attack, Albanese convened a national security council meeting and condemned the violence as "beyond comprehension."

He called it a "targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah," which should be a time of joy and faith.

This incident is among several attacks on synagogues, buildings, and cars in Australia since Israel's Gaza war began in October 2023.

On August 11, Albanese said Australia would recognise a Palestinian state at September's UN General Assembly.