A heartbroken mourner has publicly accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of having 'blood on his hands' and demanded his resignation, speaking outside the funeral of the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach massacre.
Emotional Outcry at a Child's Farewell
Chana Friedman gave an emotional interview to Sky News on Thursday outside the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda, who was among the 15 innocent lives lost in Sunday's attack. The shooting is Australia's deadliest in decades. Asked if there was a place for the Prime Minister at the sombre ceremony, Ms Friedman sobbed: 'No, because he has that girl's blood on his hands.'
'We have all failed her...she's this ray of sunshine,' she said, describing Matilda as 'the most friendly, most beautiful, happy child' according to her friends. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not attend the service at the Chevra Kadisha Memorial Hall in Woollahra as he was not invited, a pointed exclusion following criticism from the girl's parents.
Parents' Fury and a Community in Mourning
On Wednesday, Matilda's parents, Valentyna and Michael, had slammed the Prime Minister for 'failing' to protect Jewish Australians. '[Albanese] has failed my daughter and failed every victim of the tragedy, and had they done more, this would not have happened,' Valentyna stated. Michael added that the PM had not done enough to 'protect Jewish people in this country' and had 'betrayed the Jewish people of Australia, and of the whole world.'
The service was attended by hundreds of friends, family, and political leaders including Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Governor-General Sam Mostyn. So many mourners gathered that crowds spilled onto the adjacent street, watching proceedings on a screen. Family members were audibly crying as a rabbi eulogised Matilda as a 'beautiful, sweet girl' from a 'beautiful home'.
'The tragic, totally cruel unfathomable murder of young Matilda is something that is so painful to us like our own daughter was taken from us,' the rabbi said. NSW Premier Chris Minns delivered a heartfelt poem, referencing Matilda's 'beacon of love' and stating 'she's waltzing with the angels, her love will always stay.'
Aftermath of a National Tragedy
Matilda was shot in the stomach and died in hospital after doctors tried to save her life. Following the service, her coffin was carried from the hall as a crowd formed to pay their respects. Governor-General Sam Mostyn was invited to walk behind the funeral car as it prepared to travel to Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park for burial. A heavy police and private security presence remained in Woollahra.
In a poignant final image, Vanessa—the mother of three-year-old Gigi, who was shielded from gunfire under a stranger's body—was the last mourner left, sitting alone on the memorial hall steps. A second memorial will be held at Matilda's school in La Perouse on Friday.
The alleged gunmen from Sunday's attack have been identified as father Sajid Akram, 50, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24. Sajid was shot dead by police. Naveed, recovering from bullet wounds in hospital, has been charged with 59 offences.
