Both Houses of Federal Parliament have offered condolence motions for the victims of Bondi’s terror attack. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Both Houses of Parliament have offered condolence motions for the victims and survivors of the December antisemitic terrorist shootings at Bondi Beach.
The names of the 15 people murdered while celebrating the start of Hanukkah were read out numerous times by emotional MPs and Senators on Monday (19 January) during a specially convened parliamentary sitting.
Families and other members of Australia’s Jewish community looked on and were repeatedly welcomed to Parliament House.
Anthony Albanese led the motion in the House of Representatives and promised to take strong action in response to the attack.
“As Prime Minister, I give you this solemn promise on behalf of every Australian – we will not meet your suffering with silence. We will not leave you in darkness,” he said.
“We will continue to do everything required to ensure your security, uphold your safety and protect and honour your place here with us, as Australians.
“Amidst our grief for those killed and injured, and our gratitude to those who saved lives, I know there is disbelief and anger too. How could there not be?”
Mr Albanese began his condolence motion with the names of all the victims and vowed never to let them be forgotten.
He also called the incident a deliberate and racist attack against Jewish people.
“Just as our nation came together one week after Bondi to light candles against the darkness, we must continue to raise our voices against the silence, because while the massacre at Bondi Beach was cruel and senseless, it was not random. Jewish Australians were the target,” the Prime Minister said.
“As we offer our love, sympathy and solidarity to everyone bearing the weight of trauma and loss, we make it clear to every Jewish Australian, you are not alone. All Australians stand with you.
“Australians were with you at Bondi Beach in those unspeakable minutes of violence and terror.
“Police officers and first responders, running towards danger to save lives, backed by Hatzolah and Community Health Support.
“Adults shielding children they did not know from bullets. Lifeguards using their boards as stretchers to carry the wounded. Café staff giving shelter to people fleeing in fear, and passers-by performing acts of extraordinary bravery.
“The defining and enduring truth of that fateful Sunday is not fear or bloodshed. It is not the cowardly antisemitic evil of the terrorists.
“Nor the murderous perversion of Islam they took as inspiration.
“It is the courage and kindness of people risking their own lives to save others.”
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley also read out the names of those murdered in the Bondi attack.
Describing it as a “deadly and deliberate attack on Jews on Australian soil”, she said many people never imagined such a horror could have happened in this country.
“But it did,” Ms Ley said.
“People who were there told me their stories: covering their children with their bodies, running to safety, screaming and searching for loved ones, while a part of them felt no surprise, just the cold weight of expectation realised.
“We somehow knew it would come to this, they said. But how? Surely this is something that happens elsewhere? Not in Australia, the land of the fair go.”
The Opposition Leader used her speech to say that while Jewish people warned of an impending atrocity against them, the Coalition was listening and trying to do something about it.
“For too long, many in our society, especially in positions of authority, have failed to act decisively,” she said.
“It should not have taken the murder of 15 people for us to open our eyes to the danger of antisemitism in Australia.”
Ms Ley also said families of Bondi’s victims are owed an apology over how long it took for a Commonwealth royal commission to be called.
“You should never have had to juggle grieving your lost loved ones with national advocacy for the royal commission you so understandably wanted and deserved,” she said.
In the Senate, Greens leader Larissa Waters described the attack as a “reprehensible act of antisemitic violence” that was “not who we are” as Australians.
“Australia is a multicultural nation that is stronger because of our diversity, not in spite of it,” Senator Waters said.
“No one in Australia should fear practising their religion or culture.
“Every Australian should have the right to live, work, worship, learn in peace and in safety.
“We cannot ignore that fear and hate have been allowed to fester in our communities and to spill over into tragedy.”
MPs and Senators across the chamber will speak on the condolence motions into the evening.
A national day of mourning will be held on Thursday (22 January).
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
