The UK’s Chief Rabbi has told Sky News that the Bondi Beach terror attack is a tragedy for all societies, caused by “hateful extremism” that threatens “our entire civilisation”.
Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi in the UK and to the Commonwealth, told Sky News correspondent Nicole Johnston that “all Jewish hearts are broken at this time”.
He said he wanted to fly out to Australia to offer his support to those affected by Sunday’s terror attack, where 15 people were killed.
Some 22 victims remain in hospital following the shooting, carried out at an event marking the start of the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah.
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Speaking after landing early on Thursday, Rabbi Mirvis said that as Jewish leader for the Commonwealth: “This is my place. This is where I need to be.”
He added: “I am here as a symbol of the extent that the whole Jewish world’s hearts are broken at this time, and we identify with the Jewish community in Australia. And we’re here to give them support.”
When asked about the Yom Kippur attack at a synagogue in Greater Manchester earlier this year, where two people were killed, Rabbi Mirvis said the Jewish community felt that “we’re shocked, but we’re not surprised”.
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“It was shocking to actually see it happening,” he said, “but because of the tone of the hateful rhetoric on the streets of cities in the UK, and the extent to which it wasn’t always dealt with as emphatically as it should have, therefore, terrorism could thrive.
“I’m hearing the same comments here in Sydney. We’re shocked, but we’re not surprised here. The scale is enormous, and it is such a deep, deep tragedy.
“And it’s not just a tragedy for Jewish people. It’s a tragedy for all of our societies because we need to identify not just the symptoms, but also the root causes and amongst the root causes, hateful extremism, which is a threat to our entire civilisation.”
He then said that Australian jews “don’t need any lectures” on how to come together after the attack, adding: “It’s coming from the heart. Their souls are so active.
“The bonding together, the feeling of togetherness, the connection to Jews and Judaism, love of the State of Israel, recognition of the demonisation of Israel, of Jews and Judaism, which is part of this whole story – of a desire for people out there to know what the real truth is.
“Standing tall as Jews during these exceptionally difficult times and being positive. We are the people of hope. And right here at Bondi Beach, that’s what I’m picking up on. Great hope.”
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His visit comes after Naveed Akram, 24 and one of the alleged gunmen, was charged on 59 counts, including 15 of murder and a terror charge.
The other alleged attacker, his 50-year-old father Sajid, died at the scene in Sydney.
Police have said the two alleged gunmen – who were shot by officers – were motivated by Islamic State ideology.
A recent trip to the Philippines is under investigation. The older Akram used an Indian passport to travel, while his son used an Australian one.
