Australian State Plans to Ban Intifada Chants After Bondi Shooting
In the wake of the tragic Bondi shooting, New South Wales (NSW) is set to implement a ban on the phrase globalise the intifada as part of a broader initiative to combat hate speech. NSW Premier Chris Minns has called for a Royal Commission into this devastating incident, marking the deadliest shooting in Australia in nearly three decades.
Key Details About the Bondi Shooting
– Incident Overview: On Sunday, 15 people were killed, and dozens more were injured when two gunmen, believed to be motivated by Islamic State ideology, opened fire at a Jewish festival on Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most iconic locations.
– Government Response: NSW and federal authorities have announced a series of measures aimed at countering extremism in the aftermath of the attack, including:
– Stricter hate speech laws.
– Enhanced gun control measures.
– Potential revisions to protest laws to maintain public order and promote a summer of calm.
Focusing on Hate Speech
Premier Chris Minns emphasized his intent to classify the chant globalise the intifada as hate speech, responding to public concern over safety and hate-fueled slogans. This term has sparked controversy, as it emerged during the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation in 1987. Perspectives on its meaning vary widely:
– Some view it as a call for violence against Jewish people.
– Others see it as an expression of peaceful resistance against occupation.
Community and National Mourning
In a show of solidarity, Premier Minns and NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane attended the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of the shooting, where Minns read a heartfelt poem in her memory. Additionally, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a new gun buyback scheme aimed at collecting and destroying surplus and illegal firearms, with predictions to collect hundreds of thousands of guns.
Tributes have poured in, including:
– Lifeguard Tribute: About 1,000 lifeguards lined the shores of Bondi Beach, standing arm-in-arm in a moving memorial. Lifeguards across other beaches in Australia participated in similar tributes.
– Swimmers’ Tribute: Hundreds of swimmers paddled out to form a giant circle in the ocean, honoring the victims.
A national day of reflection will be observed on Sunday, coinciding with the one-week mark of the attack. The theme light over darkness will be highlighted through:
– A minute’s silence at 6:47 PM (0747 GMT).
– Flags flying at half-mast across the nation.
– A call for Australians to light candles in their windows to honor the victims.
Prime Minister Albanese encouraged the nation to take a moment from their busy lives, stating, Sixty seconds carved out from the noise of daily life, dedicated to 15 Australians who should be with us today. It will be a moment of pause to reflect and affirm that hatred and violence will never define us as Australians.
Conclusion
The Bondi shooting stands as Australia’s worst mass shooting since the Port Arthur tragedy in 1996, which resulted in 35 deaths and led to significant changes in gun control laws. As NSW plans to ban intifada chants, the government takes a firm stance against hate speech, reaffirming the commitment to a safer and more unified society.