targeting a Jewish festival killed 15 people. Since then, Australian governments have been galvanised into action on countering anti-Semitism and tightening already strict national gun controls.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, his predecessors John Howard and Scott Morrison, and Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who represents Australia’s head of state King Charles III, were among the dignitaries at the commemoration that drew more than 10,000 people.

“This has to be the nadir of anti-Semitism in our country,” New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip told the crowd. “This has to be the moment when light starts to eclipse the darkness.”

The crowd booed Albanese when Ossip acknowledged his presence. Opposition eader Sussan Ley, who had said that a conservative government led by her would reverse a decision made by Albanese’s centre-left Labour Party government this year to recognise a Palestinian state, was cheered. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lashed out at Albanese over the attack on the Hannukah celebration, saying “your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the anti-Semitic fire.” Netanyahu has repeatedly sought to link widespread calls for a Palestinian state, and criticism of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza following Hamas’ 2023 attack, to growing incidents of anti-Semitism worldwide. (Jamaica Gleaner)