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I went to a Jewish school and, as the child of Holocaust survivors, believed antisemitism was something Australia had left behind – lessons learnt, never to be repeated. That illusion was shattered by the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel, and profoundly changed how many Jewish Australians view their safety. But it was the pro-Palestine rallies afterwards that revealed where the danger truly lay. It exposed how public discourse in Australia has shifted, and whose voices now dominate. Last night’s horrific attack in Bondi has forced Australians to confront an uncomfortable truth: antisemitic violence is not theoretical or distant. It is here, and it is carried out with a confidence that grows when hostility towards Israel and Jewish people is tolerated (“PM under pressure as Jewish community says they feared this for years”, December 15). Hatred flourishes in permissive environments. Political leaders are generous with words of condemnation yet far slower to confront how extremist sentiment is excused, accommodated or politically managed. If Australia is serious about combating antisemitism, moral clarity matters – not just statements, but actions. The question now is whether our leaders truly understand what is at stake. Miriam Levy, Liverpool
Credit: Cathy Wilcox
Fuelled by hate-filled rhetoric, historical inversion, moral confusion and cowardly political responses, we in the Jewish community knew it was only a matter of time. I had only hoped it would not happen in my backyard. That was naive, of course, because in these cases everyone’s backyard is my backyard too. Joanna Auerbach, Kensington
To the Jewish members of my family and all Jews in Australia, I feel for you on what must unfold as a turning point in Australia’s history. We all need to stand with the Jewish community and remind our leaders that they must do the same, not just with words but with decisive action. Those innocent people who died on Sunday were unarmed. Those that threaten us must be disarmed. Please act, Mr Albanese. You are our prime minister. Please do your job. John Hopkins, Moss Vale
Bondi was my birthplace and where I spent most of my formative years, surrounded by a wonderful, resilient, caring and sharing Jewish community. I am heartbroken and extremely angry about the hatred that exploded there. My thoughts are with all those who are suffering. Sue Spinks, West Pennant Hills
Antisemitism must go
Enough is enough. It offends me that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon continually trot out the line that they will not tolerate antisemitism, when just six weeks ago neo-Nazis were able to stage a rally on the steps of Parliament House. The evidence is clear: their words are meaningless. Dov Hersh, Clovelly
First a neo-Nazi rally in Sydney, now an antisemitic terrorist attack at the iconic Bondi Beach. Clearly we need to redefine the word “un-Australian”. Instead of the land of the fair go, has Australia become a breeding ground for terrorists and Nazis? Sonia Borenstein, Mullumbimby
Blame game
A day after this terrible tragedy, the blame game has started. Pollies pointing fingers at each other, people pointing at police – so many people being blamed. To me, there are only two people to blame, and they are the two gunmen and their hatred of the Jewish faith. Sadly, this hatred is worldwide, yet the Jewish religion is a religion based on peace and harmony, not hatred. At this time of grief we need to be helping those who lost family and friends by offering our deepest condolences and unwavering support. Alan Leitch, Austins Ferry (Tas)
True to form, Sussan Ley criticises the government, this time for not doing enough to tackle antisemitism. The government isn’t at fault in the Bondi shootings. Hatred is the root cause. It’s irrational. Please, if you don’t have solutions, just say nothing. Anne Phillips, Wallarah
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley with Andrew Bragg, Julian Leaser and Jonno Duniam at Bondi on Monday.Credit: Oscar Colman
Why can’t Sussan Ley lay off for just one day until the horrific Bondi shootings are further investigated. Political posturing in times of mass tragedy serves no purpose. Grahame Riethmuller, Redbank
I was disappointed to see politicians in a little over 12 hours seeking political advantage while the community is struggling to come to terms with the shootings. Yes, there will be deep public questions to be asked, but today the thing we first need ask is how we have contributed, through either action or inaction, to the growth of hate. Jerard Barry, Heathcote
Sussan Ley had a choice. She could stand beside the prime minister at Bondi, decry imported hate in all its manifestations and call upon all Australians to work towards unity, or she could jump up and blame the murders on the government. To my disappointment, she chose the latter. Peter Hull, Katoomba
A note for Sussan Ley; I have given you the benefit of the doubt for the past six months, but your divisive comments over the Bondi tragedy look like cheap political point-scoring to me at the worst possible time. We need to be able to grieve and learn from this tragedy, not seek to divide and place blame when there is such a high risk of misplaced recriminations in the weeks and months ahead. Andrew Moore, Mosman
PM’s Port Arthur moment
Anthony Albanese’s Port Arthur moment has arrived (“Parliament could be recalled before Christmas to reform gun laws”, December 15). The greatest tribute he can give victims of the Bondi shooting would be to legislate out of existence all high-powered weapons, sniper rifles and other artillery that has absolutely no place in a civilised society. Then, the government must fund the acquisition and disposal of these awful weapons. Wayne Duncombe, Lilyfield
Australia’s gun control policy is often referred to as the “gold standard”. This is a fantasy. Other countries, such as China, Japan and Singapore, have stronger standards. For example, in Singapore all firearms for civilians are banned except for sports use, in which case they must be stored at a registered sports club or police station armoury. With the total number of guns among our civilian population at an all-time high of more than 4 million, I hope our PM has the guts to implement similar measures here. Walter McKenzie, North Gosford
The government is under pressure to tighten legislation on firearm possession.
Earlier this year, the president of Shooters Union Australia, Graham Park, celebrated a spike in gun registrations in this country (more than 2000 weekly) and told members: “We’re actually winning, and when I say ‘we’, I mean you as firearm owners anywhere in Australia – you’re actually winning.” Is this what winning feels like? Tim Parker, Balmain
Hate is as old as humanity. It will never be eradicated. So we may ask ourselves: what converts hate into a nightmare like this? It’s the guns, of course. Alex Kemeny, Naremburn
We need another amnesty on firearms. No one needs six weapons. No one needs one weapon. It defeats the concept of the arms control legislation. Like John Howard’s amnesty, it needs to be immediate. Anne Eagar, Epping
My question is: why does anyone need six guns? Heather Bell, Kiama
Two radical men with guns versus two radical men without guns? You choose. Neville Warner, East Lindfield
Good Samaritan
Ahmed al Ahmed is not just a hero, but a modern-day Good Samaritan (“Hero bystander who tackled gunman in incredible footage identified”, December 15). He had every reason not to risk his life. He could have said to himself “these are not my people”, or “I have a family and two children of my own to support”, or “the police will be here soon and they are properly armed and trained”. Instead, Ahmed saw people in danger and acted to save them. He certainly has my vote for Australian of the Year. Nigel Thompson, Queanbeyan
Amid all the horror and grief, let us remember to celebrate the brave actions of a Muslim man who put his life in grave danger to save the lives of other human beings. Who knows how many more would have been killed if this individual had not intervened? We need to prevent this tragedy from becoming a religious and political conflict and make it a battle between sensible human beings and deranged terrorists. We don’t want antisemitism or Islamophobia in our country. V Subramanyan, Cherrybrook
Thank whichever god you like, or no god at all, for the heroic actions of Ahmed al Ahmed at Bondi who, in one momentary act of courage, demonstrated the stupidity of racism and the beauty of our multicultural society. Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn
In an extraordinary act of bravery, a Sydney fruiterer disarmed a terrorist at Bondi Beach, no doubt saving many lives. We know little of Mr Ahmed, but his equally courageous act of laying down the attacker’s gun without shooting him is surely a lesson for those of any faith in this season of purported goodwill. Shirley Whybrow, Balmain
My overwhelming response to the shootings is immeasurable sadness, primarily for those who suffered the consequences of this unimaginably horrific act, but also for our society as a whole. Some people I know understandably feel immense anger, but if our collective response to this act of hatred and intolerance is more hatred and intolerance, then evil wins and our society suffers even more. Punish the perpetrators with the full weight of the law, but we should not vilify or ostracise entire ethnic groups or faiths because of two deranged extremists. The world needs more love, respect and tolerance, not hate. Hopefully, I am not alone in this seemingly forlorn wish. David Kairies, Caringbah South
We are all traumatised
While other world leaders are quick to send sympathy to a grieving nation, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu unleashes a tirade of accusations against our government (“‘You let the disease spread’: Netanyahu accuses Albanese of failing to curb antisemitism”, December 15). No recognition that we are collectively traumatised. My response, as a longstanding friend of Israel? You and your henchmen have dishonoured your nation, you have sullied its cherished image and the reputation of your ordinary, good citizens. Your much-vaunted strength in the face of your enemies has indirectly jeopardised Jews around the world. You lack the basics of common humanity. History will not treat you kindly. Margaret Johnston, Paddington
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed Anthony Albanese for not protecting Jewish Australians from terrorism. Credit: AP
Thank you, Benjamin Netanyahu, for your contribution towards peace and world harmony. You chose to blame our prime minister and in that process wash your hands of your own contribution towards racial and religious hatred. By your actions in Gaza and the West Bank, you have stirred hatred rather than embracing our common humanity. Ferdo Mathews, Robina (Qld)
After such an awful atrocity at Bondi, the last thing Australia needs is a political lecture on antisemitism from an alleged war criminal. Both state and federal governments have regularly denounced antisemitic acts when they have occurred, with Premier Chris Minns and PM Anthony Albanese at the forefront. Netanyahu should be giving support to the Jewish community, instead of trying to make political capital out of this tragedy. Peter Bowan, Hunters Hill
Netanyahu attacks our prime minister for allegedly not doing enough to protect the Jewish community, yet under his watch, on October 7, 2023, Israel suffered its worst-ever tragedy. Harold Kerr, Millers Point
Although the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has charged the Netanyahu government with genocide in Gaza, this gives nobody the right to commit atrocities against innocent civilians in Australia. Peta Colebatch, Hawthorn (Vic)
Four’s for good
There’s a lesson to be learnt by the Albanese government from the recent passing of the social media laws. That lesson is that much can be achieved when Labor takes advantage of bipartisan support for a change that the wider public overwhelmingly welcomes. The government is the one getting the credit for this initiative and can bask in the glow of actually “doing something”. But why stop there? There is Coalition support and wide public desire to decrease the frequency of federal elections. They should be on a set day every four years, and the timing not left to the whim of the PM of the day. Come on, Albo, it’s another reform for your legacy, and it won’t hurt a bit. Carl Boyd, Cooks Hill
Abbott comeback?
According to your article, former PM Tony Abbott wanted preselection (“Dutton ruled out comeback by former PM Abbott”, December 15). This incident is the emu in the coal mine for the Liberal Party. Something is seriously awry because if Tony Abbott is the answer, what could possibly have been the question? Neither trousers with cuffs, nor Tony Abbott, are ever coming back. Joe Weller, Mittagong
Tony Abbott remains “one of the most misunderstood people in Australian politics”? Only an entrenched Liberal Party male would make such a claim. Many women would beg to differ. Sue Dyer, Downer (ACT)
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and former opposition leader Peter Dutton.Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald
Singing and supper
On Sunday, my choir did something we have been doing for more than 20 years – we sang at a Christmas lunch for the homeless. This year, so many folks turned up that they had to be spread out all through the building for their meals. The increased number of women, and this year children, was striking. We have seen the numbers growing annually, but this was exceptional. To all people out there – let’s try and remember how many in our community lack the basic essentials, and maybe reach into our pockets to help where we can. Merry Christmas to all. Peter Pocock, Hornsby
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