CANBERRA, Australia — Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Friday issued a public apology to the country’s Jewish community following the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack earlier this month, saying the government was “desperately sorry” and acknowledging shortcomings in confronting rising antisemitism.
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In remarks reported by The Advertiser, Wong said authorities must do more to combat hate speech and better protect minority communities.
The apology followed the Dec. 14 attack during a Hanukkah event in Sydney that killed 15 people and wounded dozens. Authorities say the assault was inspired by Islamic State ideology.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected claims that Australia’s foreign policy contributed to the attack, calling it an act of extremist violence.
Wong said the government is advancing reforms on gun control and hate-speech laws and has ordered targeted reviews of intelligence and law-enforcement practices rather than launching a federal inquiry.
Officials said 11 victims remained hospitalized as of Friday, including two in critical but stable condition.
Aww so nice ! Really touching, two weeks later , our trust is restored!
What a B… She is a raging anti semitic rabid dog.
Some tin penny wong here… too little 2 weeks too late.. seems like her brain smaller than a penny was wired wong
that’s literally like the arson apologizing a year after lightning the fuse. Althoughthe most devastating & deadly results were on Chanuka, shul firebombings and violence began long before with her anti Jewish state rhetoric.
she’s plenty guilty.
Several times she ignored the warning signs and defended the Free Palestine protest under free speech.