Businessman Steven Lowy Backs Arming of Jewish Security Group

Prominent businessman and philanthropist Steven Lowy believes New South Wales's private Jewish security organization should be permitted to carry firearms in public spaces. The Community Security Group NSW (CSG NSW) provides volunteer security services at Jewish events and institutions and was present, unarmed, at the Bondi Beach event targeted in a terror attack last December.

Following the shooting, NSW Premier Chris Minns indicated that arming CSG NSW would be considered, a point he reiterated in late April, stating discussions were ongoing. Lowy, who is Jewish, stated on Tuesday that arming the CSG would bolster the security and confidence of the Jewish community. "My view is that would be one measure that would enhance the safety and security ... when Jews congregate in public spaces," he told ABC's AM program. He added that it would also be an assistance to the police and suggested the tragedy at Bondi might have been less severe if the group had been armed.

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My view is that would be one measure that would enhance the safety and security ... when Jews congregate in public spaces. So yes, I do believe that would be one of the recommendations that should be taken up because it would also be, it would be an assistance to the police. And if that would have been the case at Bondi, I think the tragedy would have been far smaller.

However, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson voiced reservations last month at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. He stated that police would have "considerable reservation" about granting additional powers to the CSG. "Isolating a particular group for additional powers within our community is problematic," Hudson said, explaining it could create a disconnect and friction between different societal groups if one is afforded privileges others are not.

Lowy acknowledged the "vastly different views" on the "complex" issue of arming the private group. He expressed hope for serious consideration, believing that with controlled environments and high-quality training, the country would be safer if such measures were implemented. Lowy also testified before the royal commission regarding his family's security detail's work identifying offensive online material, noting they had collected over 15,000 posts, comments, and images in the past year, including threats against his father, Holocaust survivor Frank Lowy.

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Isolating a particular group for additional powers within our community is problematic. It creates a disconnect between groups. It can cause friction between groups if one particular element of society is afforded privileges that others aren't.