Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to seriously intensify efforts to combat hate crimes, as many Australians joined a memorial ceremony to bid farewell to "Matilda," a 10-year-old girl who was the youngest victim of the mass shooting at the Hanukkah festival on Bondi Beach, amid public outrage over the rising problem of anti-Jewish racism.
Many Australians gathered to mourn and send off "Matilda," the 10-year-old girl and youngest victim of the tragic mass shooting at the Hanukkah festival on Bondi Beach. The funeral, held in eastern Sydney, was filled with sorrow. Matilda's small white coffin was adorned with yellow bee toys, referencing her middle name "Bee." Attendees wore bee stickers and brought yellow balloons to remember the girl fondly known as the "ray of sunshine" who loved animals and dancing.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a press conference expressing condolences and confirmed the government’s plan to propose tougher legal measures to tackle Hate Speech and violence. Key points include harsher criminal penalties for those promoting hatred and violence, amending laws to more easily cancel or deny visas to individuals deemed threats to society, and cracking down on extremist organizations led by those inciting hatred.
"Australians are angry, and so am I. It is clear that we must do more to eliminate this evil," the Prime Minister stated.
Regarding the case, police identified the perpetrator as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was shot dead at the scene, and his 24-year-old son Navid Akram, who has been charged with 59 counts including murder and terrorism. The court has postponed the trial until April 2026.
Preliminary investigations indicate the father and son may have been inspired by the Islamic State group, with authorities examining links to armed groups in the Philippines after discovering that both had traveled there for a month in November. However, the Philippine National Security Council confirmed no evidence yet shows they received weapons training in the country.
Despite government efforts to control the situation, racial discrimination incidents continue. Recently, Sydney police arrested a 19-year-old man who threatened and made violent gestures towards Jewish passengers on a flight from Bali to Sydney, highlighting the fragile state of rising ethnic tensions in Australia since the Gaza conflict began.