Socialism Today condemns the horrific anti-Semitic Bondi beach terror attack. We stand in solidarity with the victims of the attack, their families, the Jewish community, and the Bondi community. Victims of the murderous act include a child just ten years old and a survivor of the holocaust.
There can be no justification for these deadly attacks. Terrorist acts like this only help fuel division in society and can temporarily put back the common interests of working class people from whatever background. Socialists and workers’ organisations should stand in solidarity with Jewish workers at this difficult time.
While the details of the attack and its consequences are yet to be fully understood, at this stage it appears two gunmen, a father and son, opened fire on a Hanukkah event near Bondi beach, killing 15, with many more in hospital. Currently it doesn’t appear that the pair are linked to any terrorist organisation. There is some speculation that they were inspired by Islamic State – an ultra-reactionary organisation that is anti-working class and a virulent enemy of women’s rights and minorities.
Unfortunately, and predictably, right-wing actors, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have sought to weaponise Sunday’s event against legitimate pro-Palestinian protests. Attempts to paint any criticism of the Israeli state as anti-Semitic should be opposed by the workers’ movement. The attempts to use the horror of Bondi beach to whitewash the Israeli government’s post-October 7 offensive in Gaza and the West Bank must be resisted. It cannot be forgotten that since Israel attacked and re-occupied the Gaza strip around 70,000 Palestinians have been murdered, of which almost 20,000 were children. The Palestinian solidarity movement, which has consistently opposed anti-Semitism, must not take a backward step.
Socialists and the workers movement must oppose any attempt by the government to exploit the Bondi killings to introduce repressive legislation.
Many right-wing commentators falsely and cynically make the link between the weekly Palestinian solidarity protests and the anti-Semitism that culminated in the Bondi attack. Meanwhile, far-right groups, including those openly advocating fascism, are allowed to march in Australian cities. Recent anti-immigrant protests organised by Nazi sympathisers have been facilitated by police. The fact that these highly provocative demonstrations take place also reflects the relative decline in the workers’ movement over recent decades. Similar protests a decade ago were shut down by the left. It is urgent that the workers’ and socialist movement rebuild to counter the rise of the far-right.
Calls are also being made to implement the recommendations of antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal. Her report contained a number of contentious measures. Segal sought to falsely conflate criticism of Israeli government policies with anti-Semitism. If implemented, measures proposed by Segal would have a chilling effect on the media and in academia. Those now calling for the report’s implementation must be opposed.
Sunday’s events also revealed the heroism of working people. Ahmed al-Ahmed, a local tobacconist and Syrian migrant, tackled one of the gunmen to the ground, disarming him. Ahmed is now in hospital with five bullet wounds in his arm and back. Ahmed’s brave actions serve as a reminder that racism and anti-migrant hate have no place and should be opposed.
Socialism Today calls for the unity of working people from all backgrounds against reactionary terror of all stripes, and for a common struggle to oppose cynical right-wing politicians. More than ever, the working class from all backgrounds need their own party that will campaign for an end to racism and anti-Semitism, oppression, discrimination, imperialist wars, austerity and poverty. We must continue to stand in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians. For a better life for all, on the basis of pro-working class, socialist policies.