The armed attack that occurred during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, which left at least 15 dead and dozens injured, led the Australian government to announce an immediate review of its already strict gun control system.
This response from Socialist Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was met with harsh criticism from community leaders and political sectors, who question the low effectiveness of the current measures and accuse the Executive of acting too late in the face of rising antisemitism and the risks associated with legal gun ownership.
The shooting occurred on Sunday at the end of a summer day at one of the country's busiest beaches. Thousands of people were present, including hundreds participating in the "Chanukah by the Sea" event, a family celebration with activities for children.
The fatalities include a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi, a Holocaust survivor, and citizens of Israel and France. At least 38 people remain hospitalized, including two police officers.
After the massacre, Albanese described the attack as an act of antisemitic terrorism and announced proposals to toughen legislation, including limiting the number of firearms a person can own, periodically reviewing licenses, and restricting gun ownership to Australian citizens. Authorities also considered strengthening the use of criminal intelligence in the evaluation of license applications.
Nevertheless, criticism intensified after the prime minister confirmed that the domestic intelligence agency had investigated the son in 2019 for his links to individuals associated with Islamic extremism, although at that time they concluded he did not pose a direct threat.
