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Australia: Police Warned of Attack Before Sydney Massacre
🇩🇰 Denmark /Conflict & Security

Australia: Police Warned of Attack Before Sydney Massacre

From Berlingske · (9m ago) Danish Critical tone

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Police in Australia received a warning about a likely terror attack targeting Jews just days before a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.
  • The attack, which killed 15 people, was allegedly carried out by a father and son inspired by the Islamic State group.
  • An inquiry is examining potential intelligence failures and the spread of antisemitism in Australia, with the Prime Minister vowing to implement all recommendations.

The recent massacre at Bondi Beach, which claimed the lives of 15 innocent people during a Jewish celebration, has sent shockwaves across Australia and exposed deeply troubling vulnerabilities in our security apparatus. A preliminary report from a royal commission of inquiry has revealed that police were, in fact, warned of a potential terror attack targeting the Jewish community mere days before the horrific event unfolded.

This revelation, detailed in the report, raises serious questions about the effectiveness of our intelligence gathering and response mechanisms. The Community Security Group, a vital organization safeguarding the Jewish community, had explicitly alerted the police via email about the heightened risk to the upcoming Hanukkah festivities. The chilling message stated that a terror attack against the Jewish community in New South Wales was probable. Yet, despite this explicit warning, the police response was reportedly limited to stating they could not provide officers but would send patrols to 'look by and monitor the event.'

A terror attack against the Jewish community in New South Wales is probable.

— Community Security GroupThe explicit warning sent to the police prior to the attack.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that implementing all recommendations from the inquiry is a priority for his government. The commission's mandate is broad, encompassing a thorough investigation into intelligence failures and the pervasive issue of antisemitism within Australia. The findings thus far suggest that Australia's counter-terrorism capabilities require significant improvement. This tragedy has ignited a national introspection on antisemitism, fueled anger over the perceived lack of protection for Jewish Australians, and prompted promises to tighten gun laws. It stands as the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades, a grim milestone that demands a comprehensive and unwavering response to ensure such a catastrophic failure of security never happens again.

It was an issue for the state government.

— Anthony AlbaneseThe Prime Minister's response when questioned about potential police failings.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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