By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY, Dec 15 (Reuters) - The deadly attack on a Jewish festival at a famed Australian beach has deepened diplomatic tensions between Prime ​Minister Anthony Albanese and his Israeli counterpart, as domestic pressure mounted for his ​government to respond to antisemitism.

Albanese called for unity on Monday and said his government was prepared to take whatever action is necessary, after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ⁠said Albanese "did nothing" to curb antisemitism, rising since 2023.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Jewish community leaders also expressed dismay.

"There has been a shocking level of antisemitism that has been rearing its head in this country as it has in other countries," Levi Wolff, lead rabbi with Sydney's Central ​Synagogue, told Reuters at Bondi Beach where his friend was killed on Sunday.

"When antisemitism goes unchecked from the top, these ‍are the things that happen."

At a press briefing, Albanese read ​through a list of actions his government had taken, including criminalising hate speech and incitement to violence and a ban on the Nazi salute.

Funding for physical security for Jewish community groups would be extended, he pledged, and pointed to the need for tougher gun laws in Australia, which........

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