A public letter demanding the resignation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spread rapidly online, intensifying scrutiny of his government's response to rising antisemitism in the wake of the Bondi Beach atrocity.
Contents of the Viral Open Letter
The open letter was posted to Facebook on Tuesday by Israeli public speaker Hillel Fuld, acting on behalf of his family friend, Peter Singer. In the message addressed directly to the Prime Minister, Mr Singer described the recent attack as a tragedy that signified "the lowest our once great country has sunk".
Mr Singer wrote that he was attempting to extend empathy, but suggested Mr Albanese might be considering that Australia needs a leader he is not equipped to be. The letter then listed a series of grievances, accusing the Prime Minister's leadership of fostering a climate of weekly hateful demonstrations, drawing international criticism over antisemitism, and damaging the nation's 80-year relationship with Israel.
It further claimed the government had ignored Islamist hatred in mosques, treated acts of vandalism as a low priority, and allowed universities to become "pits of hatred". The letter also criticised the handling of a report by Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal, alleging the findings were dismissed until a report on Islamophobia was released.
Mounting Political Pressure
The call for resignation was coupled with a demand for the immediate sacking of Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The post has garnered over 23,000 likes and 7,000 shares, with many commenters echoing the sentiment that Mr Albanese should step aside.
Pressure on the Prime Minister increased on Wednesday when former treasurer Josh Frydenberg claimed he should take "personal responsibility" for what he called a preventable tragedy. Speaking outside a vigil at Bondi Pavilion, Mr Frydenberg stated it was time for accountability and action following the deaths of 15 innocent people.
Government Response and Defence
Following the Bondi Beach shooting, which authorities described as an act of evil antisemitism, the Albanese government extended funding to Jewish community security groups and pledged to fast-track visas for relatives of victims attending funerals.
Prime Minister Albanese rebuffed criticism from Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed Australia's recognition of Palestine had "poured fuel on antisemitic fire". Mr Albanese asserted that the antisemitic terrorist attacks would not succeed in dividing the nation.
The debate continues as the sea of flowers at Bondi Pavilion grows, a sombre backdrop to a fierce political row over leadership, security, and the nation's response to hate.
