Australian authorities face calls for investigation into alleged anti-Semitic incidents

Australian Families Call for National Inquiry into Anti-Semitism

Families of victims of a deadly attack on a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach have issued an open letter to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling for a national inquiry into rising anti-Semitism in the country. The letter, published on Monday, was signed by relatives of 11 victims who were killed during the December 14 attack.

The families expressed concern over the “rapid” and “dangerous” rise of anti-Jewish sentiment following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. They stated that they needed to know why “clear warning signs were ignored” and how antisemitic hatred was allowed to grow unchecked.

In response to the attack, Albanese announced an independent review into law enforcement and intelligence agencies’ handling of the situation. The review, led by former intelligence chief Dennis Richardson, will examine what authorities knew about the suspected gunmen before the attack and information sharing between federal and state agencies.

The families also expressed disappointment with the government’s previous response to the attack, which included proposals to tighten gun laws and introduce tougher legislation against hate speech. They stated that these measures were “not nearly enough” to address the growing issue of anti-Semitism in Australia.

According to recent data, anti-Jewish incidents have increased significantly since October 7, 2023. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry reported 1,654 anti-Jewish incidents nationwide between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025.

The government has condemned rising anti-Semitism in Australia, with many Australians expressing concerns over a rise in right-wing extremism in the country. A recent series of rallies, including those held under the banner “March for Australia”, have sparked controversy due to their perceived racist undertones.

Albanese’s government has resisted calls for a public inquiry into the attack, citing concerns that such a process would take years and could undermine social cohesion by platforming extremist voices. However, the families’ call for an inquiry highlights the growing concern over anti-Semitism in Australia.

Source: Al Jazeera