Arabic version: اللجنة الملكية تدعو إلى إصلاح قوانين الأسلحة بعد إطلاق النار في شاطئ بوندي

A landmark royal commission into antisemitism in Australia has released its interim report, highlighting the need for urgent gun reform following the tragic Bondi Beach shooting. This report comes after two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah event, resulting in 15 fatalities.

According to BBC News, the commission, led by former High Court judge Virginia Bell, recommends prioritizing firearm reforms and extending police arrangements for Jewish high holy days to other events. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the National Security Committee has agreed to implement all recommendations presented in the report.

The shooting incident occurred on 14 December last year, when a father-son duo targeted a public gathering at Bondi Beach. The report details that a Jewish security agency had warned police of a high security alert level just days before the attack, indicating a potential threat to the Jewish community. However, discrepancies between the police and the security agency regarding resource allocation for the event remain unresolved.

The interim report also emphasizes the need for a nationally consistent approach to firearms legislation, including a proposed gun buyback scheme, which has faced resistance from some Australian states. Furthermore, it calls for a review of counter-terrorism efforts and suggests that federal and state ministers participate in counter-terrorism exercises following elections.

While the report did not identify any legal gaps that could have prevented the shooting, it acknowledged failures in addressing intelligence that could have led to a stronger police presence at the event. The first series of public hearings for the inquiry is set to begin soon, with a final report expected to be delivered on the anniversary of the shooting.