The funeral for 10-year-old Matilda, a victim of the recent tragic shooting at a Hanukkah festival in Sydney, will take place on Thursday. Matilda was the youngest among the 15 individuals who lost their lives in the shooting, allegedly carried out by a father and son who were radicalized by Islamic State. This tragic event marks the worst mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades.
During an emotional press conference, Matilda’s parents criticized the government for its slow response to an escalating wave of antisemitism, which they feel has been neglected. Her mother, Valentyna, expressed her frustration, stating, “We have been saying for years…they didn’t do anything.” The family has requested that the media refrain from disclosing their surname.
Matilda’s funeral follows the first services held for other victims the previous day, which included Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39. In a wider context of increasing antisemitic threats, a 19-year-old man was charged on Thursday after allegedly making threats of violence toward a Jewish individual on a flight from Sydney to Bali.
Amidst these incidents, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces mounting pressure from Australia’s Jewish community, who feel the government is prioritizing gun reform over necessary measures to combat antisemitism. The Labor government has currently dismissed the idea of conducting a Royal Commission, citing concerns that such an inquiry would divert focus from investigating the tragic events.
Law enforcement agencies are currently examining networks associated with Islamic State within Australia as well as examining possible connections between the gunmen and militants in the Philippines. The Philippines National Security Council reported that while the suspects had visited the country last November, there is no evidence that they engaged in military training during their stay.
The community continues to grieve the losses and advocates for stronger protective measures. There is hope that this tragic event can serve as a catalyst for meaningful change and a more robust response to issues of hate and violence in society.
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