Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Australian Government of encouraging anti-Semitism before the Bondi Beach attack. Photo / Getty Images
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Australian Government of encouraging anti-Semitism before the Bondi Beach attack. Photo / Getty Images
Israel’s Prime Minister has accused the Australian Government of “promoting and encouraging” anti-Semitism in the months leading up to the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Benjamin Netanyahu said he had written earlier this year to Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, warning that recognising a Palestinian state would “pour fuel onthe anti-Semitic fire”.
“It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets,” he said following the shooting on Sunday.
At least 12 people were killed, including one of the gunmen who was shot dead by police, and 29 injured after gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney earlier in the day.
In a lengthy statement on the attack, Netanyahu said, “history will not forgive hesitation and weakness”.
He also praised what he described as a “brave Muslim man” who tackled one of the gunmen and disarmed him.
Albanese said “the evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension”, though Jewish leaders have criticised his Government for failing to stem what they describe as a growing tide of anti-Semitism.
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