Families Of Bondi Victims Demand Federal Royal Commission From PM

Families of the victims of the deadly shooting in Bondi on Sunday, December 14th have released an open letter calling on Anthony Albanese to establish a royal commission into the attack.

The letter is signed by 17 families who were related to those killed on the day, in which they “call on the Prime Minister to immediately establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the rapid rise of antisemitism in Australia following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, and the law enforcement, intelligence, and policy failures that led to the Bondi Beach massacre.”

This statement comes as the PM continues to shut down the idea of a royal commission, instead choosing to focus on a NSW-specific commission headed by Dennis Richardson that would be less comprehensive but completed quicker.

In the open letter, the families of the victims say that the Federal Government’s response to the attack has been insufficient: “We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how antisemitic hatred and Islamic extremism were allowed to dangerously grow unchecked, and what changes must be made to protect all Australians going forward.”

The letter continues: “As proud Australians and proud Jews, we have endured more than two and a half years of relentless attacks. Our children feel unsafe at school and university. Our homes, workplaces, sporting fields, and public spaces no longer feel secure. It is an intolerable situation that no Australian should have to endure.”

“We have lost parents, spouses, children and grandparents. Our loved ones were celebrating Chanukah at Bondi Beach, a festival of light and joy, in an iconic public space that should have been safe. You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth.”

The joint statement ends with the following: “The dangerous rise of antisemitism and radicalism in Australia is not going away. We need strong action now. We need leadership now. You cannot bring back our loved ones. But with a well-led Commonwealth Royal Commission and strong action, you may be able to save many more.”

Growing calls for a federal royal commission

Calls for a royal commission have increasingly grown in the weeks since the attack, with a poll shared in the Sydney Morning Herald finding that 48% of Australians support a Royal Commission into antisemitism.

Another open letter was also shared by senior members of the Australian Bar last week calling on the establishment of a royal commission, signed by over 130 former judges and senior barristers, that challenged the federal government to investigate antisemitism as a national problem.

Nonetheless, Albanese has continued to refuse these calls and insisted that a royal commission would take too long – a decision that has earned the Prime Minister substantial public derision.

Meanwhile, Chris Minns spearheaded new laws that recently passed through NSW Parliament that altered gun laws and implemented new restrictions on protests which have been called “draconian”. A constitutional challenge against the legislation was launched by Palestine Action Group, Jews Against Occupation ‘48 and Black Caucus last week, who have heavily criticised the state government’s response to the attack.