Australia’s PM ‘profoundly sorry’ for failing to prevent Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is “profoundly sorry” for his failure to prevent the Bondi Beach mass shooting at a Hanukkah event last month, as the country observed a day of mourning for the victims of the terror attack.

A father and son opened fire at an event celebrating the Jewish festival on December 14, killing 15 people in Australia’s worst mass shooting in decades.

Police say the two men were inspired by Islamic State to carry out the attack, which the government has declared an act of terrorism against Jewish people.

Flags were flown at half-staff across the country ahead of a memorial event at Sydney’s iconic Opera House, where Albanese apologizes to the relatives of the victims in the audience.

“You came to celebrate a festival of light and freedom and you left with the violence of hatred. I am deeply and profoundly sorry that we could not protect your loved ones from this evil,” Albanese says to sustained applause in his speech at the event.

Last month, the prime minister said he was “sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation as a whole has experienced” – an apology that some relatives said was insufficient.

A minute’s silence, including on the country’s main television channels, was held across the nation just after 7 p.m. in Sydney (10 a.m. Israel time) as the memorial event began.

Event attendees lit candles and heard speeches from other lawmakers, as well as Jewish prayers and video tributes.

Buildings across the country, including cricket stadiums in Melbourne and Perth, were also illuminated, while play was paused during the Australian Open tennis tournament to observe the minute’s silence.