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“We, as a Jewish community, feel forsaken and isolated by our government,” expressed Frydenberg, who is of Jewish heritage, addressing a gathering of hundreds of mourners.
“Our leaders have let down every Australian in the battle against hate and antisemitism,” he continued.
“Under the prime minister’s tenure, our nation has succumbed to radicalization,” Frydenberg asserted.
“It’s time for the prime minister to take responsibility for these events, and for our leaders to finally step up and take decisive action.”
Frydenberg’s frustration was evident in his speech, as he described Sunday’s incident as “the most significant blemish on this country.”
“I’m here to mourn, but I am also here to warn,” he said.
“Unless our governments, federal and state, take urgent, unprecedented and strong action, as night follows day, we will be back grieving the loss of innocent life in another terrorist attack in our country.”
Frydenberg called for a royal commission into antisemitism, with his speech met with applause from onlookers.
He encouraged the government to “ban the hate preachers” following media reporting the linked one of the alleged shooters to an extremist preacher.
“The shooter, here, who did this, was linked to a factory of hate in Bankstown. How can that factory of hate be allowed to open its doors for one day more? I say no, I say never,” Frydenberg said.
— Miles Proust