Analysis-Australia PM Albanese faces Israel pressure after Bondi Beach attack |
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........