The brother of a survivor from the recent terrorist attack in Sydney has called for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to resign, criticizing his absence from the funerals of the victims. Yaakov Super, 24, was among those injured during the attack at the Chanukah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach, which left 15 dead and 40 injured. The incident marks the worst gun violence in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Yaakov’s brother, Rabbi Mendel Super, expressed his disappointment with the government’s response, particularly the Prime Minister’s decision not to attend the funerals. “There is so much anger and frustration in the Jewish community that representatives of the government are nowhere to be seen,” Rabbi Super stated. “There is just so much anger that the prime minister hasn’t been at any of the three funerals that have happened.”
Government Response Under Scrutiny
Prime Minister Albanese defended his actions, stating on Wednesday that he would not attend funerals without an invitation. He emphasized his respect for the families’ wishes, having met with victims and their families privately. However, Rabbi Super argued that attending the funerals would have been a gesture of solidarity, even if not all attendees welcomed his presence.
The ABC reached out to the Prime Minister’s office to confirm if he had attended any of the funerals on Thursday, including that of the youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda. Her funeral was marked by an emotional tribute at a Jewish memorial center, where she was remembered as a “righteous, special, sweet, kind girl” who loved animals and the outdoors.
Calls for Legal Reforms on Hate Speech
In the wake of the attack, the Australian government has announced plans for law reforms targeting hate preachers and tightening hate speech regulations. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated, “We have no time for organizations where their mission is to hate Australia and to hate fellow Australians.” He highlighted the complexities of drafting hate speech laws, acknowledging past challenges in reform efforts.
The proposed reforms include granting the Home Affairs minister new powers to cancel or refuse visas on grounds of antisemitism, addressing the current high threshold for such actions. Prime Minister Albanese admitted that more could have been done to combat antisemitism, saying, “Of course more could have always been done. Governments aren’t perfect. I’m not perfect.”
Community Reactions and Future Implications
Rabbi Super welcomed the proposed reforms but criticized the government’s previous inaction, stating that existing laws already provided tools to combat terrorism and support for terrorist organizations. He asserted, “The government needs to take responsibility for their failure on that first day of Hanukkah.”
He further called for the Prime Minister’s resignation, arguing that if Albanese cannot ensure the safety of Jewish Australians and address radical ideologies, he should step down. “The hate that almost got my brother killed,” Rabbi Super emphasized, “requires decisive action from our leaders.”
The announcement of these reforms comes amid heightened tensions and calls for greater protection of minority communities in Australia. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the government’s response and future actions will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
