Families of the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting have called on Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to launch a royal commission into the “rapid rise of antisemitism,” warning that more lives could be lost without urgent national action.
The appeal comes after the December 14 attack during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, in which father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram are accused of killing 15 people and injuring dozens. Authorities have described the attack as an antisemitic terrorist act.
In a joint letter issued on Monday, December 29, 17 families of the victims urged the federal government to “immediately establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the rapid rise of antisemitism in Australia.” They also called for a full investigation into the “law enforcement, intelligence, and policy failures that led to the Bondi Beach massacre.”
“We demand answers and solutions,” the families wrote. “We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how antisemitic hatred and Islamic extremism were allowed to dangerously grow unchecked, and what changes must be made to protect all Australians going forward.”
The families emphasized that the attack was not an isolated incident but part of a broader national crisis. “We have lost parents, spouses, children, and grandparents,” the letter said. “Our loved ones were celebrating Chanukah at Bondi Beach, a festival of light and joy, in an iconic public space that should have been safe. You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth.”
Prime Minister Albanese has so far resisted calls for a federal inquiry, arguing that immediate action is required rather than “division and delay.” He has stated that a New South Wales-led royal commission, given that the attack occurred in Sydney, would be sufficient and has promised full federal support.
Despite this, the federal government has announced a series of measures to address related concerns, including reforms to gun ownership laws, tighter controls on hate speech, and a review of police and intelligence services. However, the families have rejected these measures as insufficient.
“The threat was not going away,” the letter continued. “We need strong action now. We need leadership now. You cannot bring back our loved ones. But with a well-led Commonwealth Royal Commission and strong action, you may be able to save many more.”
The attack was carried out by Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24. Sajid, an Indian national who entered Australia on a visa in 1998, was shot and killed by police at the scene. Naveed, an Australian-born citizen, remains in custody facing multiple charges, including terrorism, 15 counts of murder, committing a terrorist act, and planting a bomb with intent to harm. He has yet to enter a plea.
Law enforcement officials have said the attack represented a culmination of warning signs that were either missed or insufficiently addressed, highlighting potential gaps in Australia’s counterterrorism and domestic security apparatus.
Jewish community leaders have expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, describing the shooting as a stark reminder of the rising global threat of antisemitism. “This attack has shaken our community,” said one spokesperson. “It is a wake-up call that hatred and extremism can no longer be ignored or underestimated.”
The families’ letter to the Prime Minister underscores growing concerns that, without systemic change, similar acts of violence could occur again. As public debate intensifies over the adequacy of government responses, the call for a Commonwealth Royal Commission is likely to remain a central focus in Australia’s national discussion on security, extremism, and community safety.
