New South Wales plans to outlaw the chant “globalise the intifada” after the Bondi Beach terror attack, Australia’s deadliest shooting in almost 30 years.
Premier Chris Minns supports a Royal Commission probe and will recall parliament for tougher hate speech, gun and protest laws to ensure “a summer of calm.”
On December 14, Islamic State-inspired father-and-son Sajid and Naveed Akram fired on a Hanukkah festival near Bondi Pavilion, killing 15 including Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, 87, rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39, and 10-year-old Matilda. Police shot Sajid dead, wounded Naveed—who faces terrorism charges—and neutralised car bombs.
Heroes emerged, from the Gurmans tackling the gunman to Muslim shopkeeper Ahmed al-Ahmed disarming him, earning A$2.5 million in donations, and lifesavers shielding crowds with boards.
Today brings a national “light over darkness” reflection with silence at 18:47 AEDT and candles lit. “Sixty seconds carved out from the noise of daily life, dedicated to 15 Australians who should be with us today,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“It will be a moment of pause to reflect and affirm that hatred and violence will never define us as Australians.” His government launched a major gun buyback scheme.
Lifeguard chains and offshore tributes honoured victims amid cancelled Jewish events and new citizenship-only gun rules.