NSW Premier Chris Minns delivered a powerful and sombre address at a vigil marking one week since the tragic mass shooting at Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives. The event, held on the final night of Chanukah, saw the Premier directly confront what he described as a 'deep vein of anti-Semitic hate' within the community.
A Community's Defiance and Political Tensions
The vigil was a poignant display of solidarity, with thousands gathering on the sands in defiance of the terror attack. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the service but was notably not invited to speak. This followed reported tensions with the Jewish community regarding the Federal government's actions on anti-Semitism prior to the attack.
Upon his arrival with his wife Jodie and senior Cabinet ministers, the Prime Minister was met with heckling from sections of the crowd. In stark contrast, Premier Minns received a standing ovation when his presence was announced, highlighting the raw political sensitivities surrounding the tragedy.
Minns's Solemn Address and Call to Action
In his speech, Premier Minns expressed profound sorrow and accepted governmental responsibility. 'We are deeply sorry,' he stated. 'The government's highest duty is to protect its citizens, and we did not do that one week ago.' He praised the Australian public for their response, suggesting that Aussies are often 'better at showing it than saying it.'
He highlighted acts of solidarity, including the thousands who participated in a paddle-out, the hundreds of first responders, and the 40,000 people who donated blood. Minns warned against dismissing the attack as an isolated event, arguing it exposed a dangerous undercurrent of hatred that must be confronted.
Launching 'One Mitzvah for Bondi'
Following consultations with Sydney's rabbinical leadership, Premier Minns announced the launch of the 'One Mitzvah for Bondi' campaign. Inspired by the spirit of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a victim of the attack, the initiative calls on every citizen, regardless of faith, to commit to concrete acts of goodness and kindness.
'If hatred spreads through words and actions, then so does goodness,' Minns said. 'We can't cure hate with hate... be the light in the world.' The campaign is presented as a communal path to healing and a direct response to the incubation of hatred.
The Premier's speech concluded with a call for shared responsibility, emphasising that while government must lead on security and justice, the pursuit of peace through compassion and moral courage is the task of every citizen. The vigil served as both a memorial for the lost and a stark starting point for a national reckoning with anti-Semitism.
