A powerful message of defiance and a stark political rebuke marked a solemn vigil at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, exactly one week after a terror attack claimed 15 lives. As up to 15,000 people gathered for the 'Light Over Darkness' event, Jewish leaders issued a forceful call for a federal royal commission, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was met with audible boos from sections of the crowd.
Calls for National Inquiry Amid Political Tensions
The president of the NSW Board of Jewish Deputies, David Ossip, told the assembled crowd that it “cannot be disputed” a federal royal commission was needed. His plea was met with loud cheers and applause. This position was immediately echoed by Daniel Aghion, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, who thanked Ossip for his “courage to say it.” To date, the Prime Minister has supported a state-level inquiry proposed by NSW Premier Chris Minns but has resisted a national one.
The political divide was palpable. Ossip lavishly praised Premier Minns and NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane, who was hailed as a hero for rushing to aid the injured during the attack. However, when he welcomed PM Albanese, seated at the front, a wave of boos erupted from some attendees. Albanese had been similarly greeted with jeers upon his arrival, minutes before former PM John Howard walked the same path to cheers.
‘We Are Unbreakable’: A Community’s Defiance
The vigil, held at 6.47pm—the precise time the attack began—was a poignant mix of grief and resilience. Ossip acknowledged the community had “landed up in a dark place” and that the nation had been “stained.” He paid tribute to the “unbelievable bravery” of Ahmed Al-Ahmed, who was wounded while disarming one of the alleged attackers.
Yet, the overarching tone was one of steadfast resolve. “The terrorist picked the wrong community to mess with because we, the Jewish people, are unbreakable. Resilience is in our veins!” Ossip declared. Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and a regular at the targeted Hanukah event, vowed to return next year with his three daughters. “I will not hide who I am, an Australian and a Jew, for that would be a price too great,” he said.
Leaders Acknowledge Failure and Lasting Impact
In his address, Premier Chris Minns offered a sobering apology, acknowledging the government’s fundamental duty to protect citizens. “We did not do that one week ago. That reality weighs on me heavily,” he stated. He warned that the attack had “tragically highlighted a deep vein of anti-Semitic hate in our community,” which could not be dismissed as a single aberration.
The event, held under a heavy police presence including snipers on nearby roofs, saw other speakers including Governor-General Sam Mostyn and teenage survivor Chaya Dadon. Rabbi Yehoram Ulman of Bondi Chabad urged the crowd to turn their grief into sustained action. “Sydney can and must become a beacon of goodness... where kindness is louder than hate,” he said.
As the vigil concluded, the focus turned to preserving memory. The floral memorial at Bondi Pavilion is due to be removed on Monday, with tributes to be collected and preserved by the Sydney Jewish Museum and Australian Jewish Historical Society.
