Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued an apology to the Jewish community on Monday, following a tense scene where he was met with boos at a vigil commemorating the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. He acknowledged the “weight of responsibility” he bears for the horrific antisemitic assault.

The beleaguered leader, who has faced criticism for not adequately addressing rising antisemitism, expressed his remorse after facing the hostile reception from thousands gathered to honor those lost in the attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration perpetrated by ISIS terrorists.

“The emotions are raw, and many in the community are hurting and filled with anger, and I understand why some of that was directed at me,” Albanese remarked, responding to the crowd’s heated reaction.

“As the prime minister, I carry the heavy burden of responsibility for this atrocity occurring during my tenure,” he stated.

“I apologize for the pain the Jewish community and our entire nation have endured,” he concluded.

Albanese has faced widespread backlash in the wake of last week’s bloodshed after critics accused his center-left government of failing to curb a surge in antisemitism since the war in Gaza broke out.

Albanese’s apology came soon after he announced a review of the country’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies following the attack.

He said the review, which will be led by a former chief of Australia’s spy agency, would investigate whether federal police and intelligence agencies have the “right powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe.”

Jewish leaders, however, have called for a royal commission — the most powerful type of Australian government inquiry — to be set up to investigate the attack.

Albanese defended the move for a review into security agencies rather than a royal commission — insisting it would be faster.

“The … review will enable action to take place,” he said.

“What we want to do is, if there are any holes, any findings, any actions that are required, we want that to occur.”