Australia’s Jewish community gathered on Friday (local time) at Sydney’s Bondi Beach to pray, as hundreds of swimmers and surfers paddled into the water to honor the 15 deaths of suspected gunmen – a father and his son, who opened fire on people celebrating Hanukkah.
Authorities said Sunday’s shooting, Australia’s deadliest in nearly 30 years, appeared to have been inspired by Islamic State, and police stepped up patrols and policing in a bid to prevent further violence.
On Thursday evening, police said they intercepted two cars and arrested seven men in southwest Sydney after receiving information that “a violent act may have been planned”.
Australian police said the men, known to authorities, likely had links to extremist Islamic ideology, similar to the two suspected Bondi shooters.
“We have indications that Bondi was one of the locations they may have gone to yesterday, but without specific or proven intent at this stage,” New South Wales state police deputy commissioner David Hudson told ABC radio.
Islamic State called the Bondi shooting a “point of pride” in a post on the group’s Telegram channel, but did not explicitly claim responsibility.
On the beach this Friday, the names of the victims were read during prayers at the scene of the attack, while swimmers entered the water in a sign of solidarity.
Community leaders described the support as deeply moving amid growing fears about an increase in anti-Semitic incidents since the Gaza war.
“In the last couple of years, a lot of people are wondering if we are still welcome here in Australia because we have seen people calling for our death in the streets every week,” Rabbi Yosef Eichenblatt of Sydney’s Central Synagogue told ABC News after competing in the rowing event.
“It’s been really heartwarming to see the outpouring of love and support. It’s really very therapeutic.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, under pressure from critics who say his center-left government has not done enough to combat anti-Semitism, has vowed to crack down on hate speech.
Albanese plans to introduce legislation that would make it easier to prosecute people who promote hate speech and violence, as well as cancel or deny visas for those involved in hate speech.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley called on Albanese to convene Parliament early to tackle anti-Semitism. Albanese said he was open to recalling Parliament before February, but warned that the proposed laws were complex and would take time to draft.
The funeral began this week and 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest of the 15 victims, was buried on Thursday.
Toy yellow bees covered his coffin. Many attendees wore yellow stickers and bees and brought bee-themed toys and balloons in honor of Matilda, whose middle name was Bee.
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