By Jean Kennedy, ABC News
Families of those killed and injured in the Bondi Beach attack are demanding a federal royal commission into antisemitism in Australia. Photo: ABC News / Jack Fisher
The families of those killed and injured in the Bondi Beach terror attack are demanding the prime minister urgently establish a national royal commission, saying they need "strong action" and "leadership now" to save more lives from being lost.
Seventeen families of those injured and killed in the attack have signed a powerfully worded plea calling for a commission.
It calls on Anthony Albanese to "immediately establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the rapid rise of antisemitism in Australia" in the wake of Hamas's attack on 7 October 2023, and to examine "the law enforcement, intelligence, and policy failures" that led to the Bondi Beach massacre.
"We demand answers and solutions," their statement reads.
"We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how antisemitic hatred and Islamic extremism were allowed to dangerously grow unchecked, and what changes must be made to protect all Australians going forward.
"As proud Australians and proud Jews, we have endured more than two and a half years of relentless attacks.
Fifteen people were killed in the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December. Photo: ABC News
"Our children feel unsafe at school and university. Our homes, workplaces, sporting fields, and public spaces no longer feel secure. It is an intolerable situation that no Australian should have to endure.
"Announcements made so far by the federal government in response to the Bondi massacre are not nearly enough.
"Prime Minister how can you not support a Royal Commission into the deadliest terrorist attack on Australian soil? Royal Commissions have been established for banks and aged care.
"We have lost parents, spouses, children and grandparents.
"You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth," the statement said.
Victim's daughter calls for answers
The daughter of 61-year-old victim Reuven Morrison, who threw a brick at one of the Bondi shooters before he was killed, told ABC News Breakfast the community needed answers and accountability.
"We need to see exactly how this was allowed to occur, and then we need to put systemic policies in place to ensure that nothing can ever happen again to this extent or to any extent," Sheina Gutnik said.
She said since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, where around 1200 people were killed and around 250 were taken hostage, Jewish children have felt scared to go to school.
"Sporting fields don't feel safe. University students don't feel safe. We feel unsafe in our homes," she said.
"As a Jewish mother, my eyes always are - where is the exit?"
NSW-based royal commission remains the plan so far
Albanese has so far resisted calls for a national royal commission into the Bondi terror attack.
He has remained steadfast in his refusal for the federal government to take the lead by calling a sweeping national inquiry.
Instead, he has argued that a NSW-based royal commission will be enough and promised that his government will co-operate and provide the Minns government with whatever support it needs.
He has also set up a federal inquiry into the country's intelligence and security agencies to probe their role in any failings leading up to the Bondi attacks.
Last Monday, he told reporters in Canberra that he did not favour a federal royal commission because he wanted to act with "urgency and unity, not division and delay", but Gutnik told the ABC she believed a national royal commission could be run while other actions were also taken.
The night before Albanese was met with boos and jeers as he arrived at the memorial and vigil at Bondi Beach on the National Day of Reflection.
His treatment that Sunday night captured the mood of Australia's Jewish community; the undeniable, underlying anger amid the sadness and despair.
Now the families of the victims have stepped up the pressure on the prime minister with their open letter, pleading for immediate action.
"Senior legal, security and political leaders from across the country have come together in an unprecedented display of public support for a Commonwealth Royal Commission," they said in their statement.
"The rise of antisemitism in Australia goes far beyond one state jurisdiction. It is a national crisis that demands a powerful national response."
They pointed out that just even in the past few days antisemitic incidents had continued.
There was the firebombing of a Jewish family's car in Melbourne and the arrest of a man in Western Australia, accused of posting messages of support following the Bondi attack while allegedly stockpiling weapons and being in possession of Hamas and Hezbollah flags.
"This threat is real, and it is escalating," they said. "The dangerous rise of antisemitism and radicalism in Australia is not going away.
"We need strong action now. We need leadership now.
"You cannot bring back our loves ones. But with a well-led Commonwealth Royal Commission and strong action, you may be able to save many more."
- ABC
