After the Sydney attack: what must change?
Investigators are now working on the assumption that the Bondi Beach attack was motivated by antisemitism and that the perpetrators were influenced by the ideology of the terrorist group Islamic State. The two gunmen opened fire on people participating in a Chanukah celebration on Sydney's famous beach on Sunday. Fifteen people were killed and 40 others injured. A glance at the European press reveals just how close Australia is to us.
Show solidarity with Jews in our own country
Der Freitag stresses the need for action:
“We must realise that there are people in this country who are affected by this act because they are the targets. That Sydney is not so far away, because just a few months back three suspected Hamas members were arrested for allegedly planning attacks on Jewish institutions in Germany. The response to hatred can begin on a small scale: by showing Jews that they are not alone. That we see their suffering, their fear and their pain.”
Nothing can justify such acts of murder
Anyone who justifies such attacks by pointing to Israel's role in Gaza is ignoring a fundamental fact, Financial Times journalist Stephen Bush reminds readers:
“Something about antisemitism seems to interfere not just with people's moral compasses, but also their actual compasses. Bondi Beach is not in Israel. ... There is no action that Israel, or any other state for that matter, could commit that would make it acceptable for me to commit indiscriminate acts of murder in 'return'. ... All of the known attackers over the past two years have been male, as are the vast majority of terrorists and violent criminals. It would not justify me attacking men when they gather to watch football.”
Polarisation doesn't help anyone
NRC warns against dismissing criticism of Israel as antisemitism across the board:
“Antisemitism must never be tolerated, but there is a place for criticism of Israel. It is unacceptable that politicians and organizations are now lumping the two together simply because it suits them. The response to an attack should always be compassion and must never lead to further polarisation. Politicians and authorities who fail to see that are doing society a disservice, and it is not the right way to prevent antisemitism.”
Criticism of Netanyahu is not antisemitism
Following the Sydney attack, the Israeli government has criticised Australia for recognising Palestine. Dagens Nyheter comments:
“Jews should never be held collectively responsible for the suffering caused by the State of Israel in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. By the same token, critics of the Israeli government should not be held responsible for the violent acts of extremists. It also makes the fight against antisemitism more difficult when participation in this fight depends on one's stance on Netanyahu's policies. For it is clear that joint action against antisemitism is needed. In Australia, but also in the rest of the Western world, including Sweden. The state and society must be mobilised.”
Never judge based on faith or nationality
The courageous intervention of Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit vendor who happened to be on the scene, likely saved lives. A video shows him throwing one of the two perpetrators to the ground and disarming him. Historian Andrei Zubov reflects on this in a Facebook post:
“As things look now, both the murderers and the unexpected defender of the Jewish community are Muslims and acted in the belief that their faith and their God commanded them to act as they did. The conclusion to be drawn from this dreadful event is simple and instructive. Never revile a person's faith or a person because of their faith. Nor because of their nationality. That is the path that murderers take. Murderers often don't see the individual, but only their faith or nationality. ... A group approach is always wrong.”