Socialism Today (CWI Australia) statement
Socialism Today (CWI Australia) condemns the horrific antisemitic Bondi Beach terror attack. We stand in solidarity with the victims of the attack, their families, the Jewish community, and the Bondi community. Victims of the murderous act include a child just ten years old, and a survivor of the holocaust.
There can be no justification for these deadly, indiscriminate attacks. Terrorist acts like this only help fuel division in society and can temporarily put back the common interests of the working class, from whatever background.
Solidarity
Socialists and workers’ organisations should stand in solidarity with Jewish workers at this difficult time.
While the details of the attack and its consequences are yet to be fully understood, at this stage it appears two gunmen, a father and son, opened fire on a Hanukkah event near Bondi Beach, killing 15, with many more in hospital. Currently it does not appear that the pair are linked to any terrorist organisation. There is some speculation that they were inspired by Islamic State – an ultra-reactionary organisation that is anti-working class and a virulent enemy of women’s rights and minorities.
Predictably, right-wing actors, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have sought to weaponise Sunday’s event against legitimate pro-Palestinian protests. Attempts to paint all criticism of the Israeli state as antisemitic should be opposed by the workers’ movement. The attempts to use the horror of Bondi beach to whitewash the Israeli government’s post-7 October offensive in Gaza and the West Bank must be resisted. It cannot be forgotten that since Israel attacked and re-occupied the Gaza strip, at least 70,000 Palestinians have been murdered, of which almost 20,000 were children. The Palestinian solidarity movement, which has consistently opposed antisemitism, must not take a backward step.
Socialists and the workers’ movement must also oppose any attempt by the government to exploit the Bondi killings to introduce repressive legislation.
Many right-wing commentators falsely and cynically make the link between the weekly Palestinian solidarity protests and antisemitism motivating the Bondi attack. Meanwhile, far-right groups, including those openly advocating fascism, are allowed to march in Australian cities.
Recent anti-immigrant protests organised by Nazi sympathisers have been facilitated by police. The fact that these highly provocative demonstrations take place also reflects the relative decline of the organised workers’ movement over recent decades. Similar protests a decade ago were shut down by the left. It is urgent that the workers’ and socialist movement rebuild to counter the rise of the far right.
Calls are also being made to implement the recommendations of antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal. Her report contained a number of contentious measures. Segal sought to falsely conflate criticism of Israeli government policies with antisemitism. If implemented, measures proposed by Segal would have a chilling effect on the media and in academia. Those now calling for the report’s implementation must be opposed.
Worker’s heroism
Sunday’s events also revealed the heroism of working people. Ahmed al Ahmed, a local tobacconist and Syrian migrant, tackled one of the gunmen to the ground, disarming him. Ahmed is now in hospital with five bullet wounds in his arm and back. Ahmed’s brave actions serve as a reminder that racism and anti-migrant hate have no place and should be opposed.
Socialism Today calls for the unity of the working class from all backgrounds against reactionary terror of all stripes, and for a common struggle to oppose cynical right-wing politicians. More than ever, the working class from all ethnic groups need their own party that will campaign for an end to racism and antisemitism, oppression, discrimination, imperialist wars, austerity and poverty. We must continue to stand in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians. For a better life for all, on the basis of pro-working class, socialist policies.
