(C) Al Jazeera

JERUSALEM / BERLIN - Israel on Sunday strongly criticized the Australian government, accusing it of enabling anti-Semitism following a shooting incident at a Jewish holiday celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney that left at least 11 people dead and 29 injured.

The attack occurred around 6:45 p.m. local time on Sunday (Dec. 14, local time) during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, where over a thousand people were gathered for a community event. While the motive for the crime remains unconfirmed, various world leaders have unequivocally condemned it as a terrorist attack targeting Jews.

Netanyahu Slams Australia, Links Attack to Palestinian Statehood

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised address, directly blamed the Australian leadership. "Anti-Semitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders remain silent," Netanyahu asserted, according to AFP and other sources. "You (the Australian government) allowed this disease to spread, and the result is the horrific Jewish attack we saw today."

Netanyahu specifically revisited a contentious letter he had sent to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in August. In the letter, the Israeli premier warned Albanese and other world leaders contemplating the recognition of a Palestinian state that such a move would be "fueling the flames of anti-Semitism."

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office had previously criticized Albanese on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "History will remember Albanese as a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews."

Australia, along with France, the United Kingdom, and Portugal, officially announced the recognition of Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly in September. Israel has vehemently opposed these international moves, arguing they reward the Palestinian militant group Hamas and encourage anti-Semitism.

Calls for Accountability and Action Against Anti-Semitism

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar echoed the Prime Minister's sentiments, writing on X, "This attack is a consequence of the anti-Semitic rampages that have occurred on Australian streets over the past two years." He added, "The Australian government, which received numerous warning signs, must be held accountable."

Sa'ar also revealed he had spoken with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, pointing out the surge in anti-Semitism in Australia since the outbreak of the Gaza War in October 2023. He urged the Australian government to take strong action against slogans such as the 'globalization of the Intifada' (anti-Israel uprising).

The Israeli President's Office further reported that President Isaac Herzog had contacted King Charles III, the head of the Commonwealth, in September to warn of an "anti-Semitism epidemic" in the three Commonwealth nations of Australia, the UK, and Canada. King Charles III released a statement expressing his shock and sorrow over the "appalling anti-Semitic attack on Jewish people attending a Hanukkah celebration."

International Condemnation and Aid Efforts

Condemnation for the attack was swift and international. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz lamented the "anti-Semitic attack during Hanukkah" on X, emphasizing that it was an "attack on our common values" that must be blocked globally. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was "appalled," stating, "We must fight the spread of anti-Semitism."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed, "Europe stands with Australia and the Jewish community worldwide. We are united against violence and anti-Semitic hatred."

Even Israel's adversary, Iran, condemned the violence, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson stating on X that "terrorism and murder are unacceptable anywhere." This statement comes despite strained relations between Australia and Iran, as Australia expelled Iran's ambassador in August after gathering credible information that the Iranian government directed arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne last year. Australia also designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist-supporting organization last month.

The Israeli emergency response organization ZAKA announced it was dispatching personnel from Israel to Sydney to support the local community and is actively recruiting volunteers in Australia.

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