Fierce defence of police as nation mourns Bondi dead
Melissa Meehan and Kat Wong |
Tensions are growing as the Jewish community mourns the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack, with a state leader fiercely defending police who raced to the scene.
Newly-minted NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon faced criticism over the police preparation and response in a heated press conference.
Questions about how the father-and-son gunmen flew under the radar of authorities have been mounting since Sunday night’s attack killed 15 people and injured dozens more.
But Premier Chris Minns leapt to the defence of police, interrupting his commissioner to reject suggestions of failed responsibility and praising officers’ bravery and integrity.
“(Arriving officers) engaged the gunmen on a footbridge with handguns; the offenders had long-range rifles,” he told reporters.
“They were responsible for killing one of them and shooting the other one, saving many, many people’s lives.
“There are two police in critical care … they weren’t shot in the back as they were running away – they were shot in the front.”
It followed federal police revealing the gunmen’s Islamic State links and a recent trip to the Philippines before Sunday night’s massacre.
The Southeast Asian nation is a known hotspot for the Islamic State of East Asia, which is designated a terrorist organisation in Australia.
Police also found explosives in a car registered to the younger shooter – Naveed Akram, 24 – and two homemade Islamic State flags.
His 50-year-old father Sajid, a licensed owner of six firearms who arrived in Australia on a student visa in 1998, died at the scene following a shootout with police.
Australian-born Naveed remains in a coma in hospital after being shot and is expected to face charges.
Emotions were mixed at a makeshift memorial at Bondi Beach, where a sea of flowers continues to grow.
Tears marked a sombre scene before Rabbi Yossi Friedman led a memorial prayer, a Hebrew song and the Australian national anthem, sung by the crowd.
Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, visited the scene to offer his condolences.
He refused to comment on his prime minister’s criticism of Australia’s approach to anti-Semitism.
“I’m here to hug the community, to hug the Australian citizens that care about life here,” he said.
Members of the Jewish community, locals, the Sydney Swans AFL team and politicians streamed through Bondi on Tuesday morning, adding their flowers to an ever-growing tribute.
Pauline Hanson and newly minted One Nation member Barnaby Joyce were warmly received when they arrived at the Bondi vigil to meet the family of the youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda.
Those nearby offered applause, with some gathered yelling for the pair to “make Australia great again” and “get rid of the filth”.
Former Liberal prime minister John Howard, who led the gun control effort after the Port Arthur Massacre, also received a rockstar welcome.
State leaders have pledged to tighten gun laws, including restrictions on citizenship and firearm types, with NSW to recall parliament if necessary.
A menorah was illuminated on the sails of the Sydney Opera House, among many national landmarks lit up in honour of the victims.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Ahmed Al Ahmed, the hero shop owner who disarmed one of the Bondi gunmen during Sunday’s attack.
“He is a hero,” Mr Albanese told reporters.
More than 35,000 people have donated to an online fundraiser for the 43-year-old, raising more than $2 million.
Authorities have ramped up security around Jewish sites, as well as Adelaide Oval ahead of Wednesday’s Test cricket match.
Most of the victims had gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights.
The attack is the deadliest anti-Semitic act in Australian history and second only to the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 – when 35 people were killed by gunman Martin Bryant – for the nation’s worst modern-day mass shooting.
Among the 15 Bondi victims were a 10-year-old girl, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, a retired police officer and a father who ran at the gunmen, hurling a brick.
Of the 24 injured patients in Sydney hospitals, three are critical and five are critical but stable.
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AAP
