'We demand answers': Bondi victims’ families write open letter to PM demanding national inquiry

In the wake of Australia’s deadliest antisemitic attack in recent years, families who lost loved ones at Bondi Beach have renewed calls for a nationwide inquiry, arguing that systemic failures allowed the violence to unfold. On Monday, relatives of the victims appealed for an independent investigation into antisemitism in Australia and into what they described as shortcomings in policing, intelligence, and government policy.

Father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram are accused of targeting a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14, killing 15 people and injuring dozens. Authorities have described the shooting as an antisemitic terrorist attack.

Seventeen families, in an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, urged him to “immediately establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the rapid rise of antisemitism in Australia” and to examine “law enforcement, intelligence, and policy failures that led to the Bondi Beach massacre”.

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“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.”

Government resists federal inquiry

Albanese has resisted calls for a federal inquiry, saying action was needed without waiting “years for answers”.
“We need to get on with any changes that are required,” he told reporters Monday.
“I have nothing except sympathy for those families. My job, as prime minister, is to look at how we build unity, how we build social cohesion, how we do what the nation needs at what is a very difficult time.”

He said last week that a New South Wales-led royal commission, where the shooting occurred, would be sufficient and pledged full federal support. Canberra has also flagged reforms to gun ownership and hate speech laws, along with an inquiry into police and intelligence agencies. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke warned on Monday that a national royal commission could give “some of the worst statements and worst voices” a platform to revisit “the worst examples of antisemitism over the last two years”, which he said would not serve unity or national security.

Families say response falls short

The families, however, said the federal response was “not nearly enough”.
“We have lost parents, spouses, children, and grandparents. 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,” the letter said.
“You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth.”

Describing antisemitism as a “national crisis”, the families said the threat was ongoing.
“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.”

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One of the alleged attackers, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police during the incident. An Indian national, he entered Australia on a visa in 1998. His son, Naveed Akram, 24, an Australian-born citizen, remains in custody facing multiple charges, including terrorism and 15 murders, as well as committing a “terrorist act” and planting a bomb with intent to harm.