Mayors and elected representatives from across NSW gathered at the Bondi Pavilion on Thursday to show their support and solidarity for the Waverley community following Sunday’s deadly terrorist attack.
Led by Waverley Council Mayor, Will Nemesh and the President of Local Government NSW, Inner West Council Mayor, Darcy Byrne, the group of elected representatives laid tributes on behalf of their grieving and traumatised communities.
In a short statement after the gathering, President Byrne said the Mayors had travelled from every corner of the state to bring a message of love, solidarity and support for the people of Bondi, the Waverley Council and the Jewish community in particular.
“On Sunday, this beautiful beach was the scene of an appalling and horrific act of antisemitism, of terrorism, of pure evil,” he said.
“We are here to say that this outrageous obscenity will be countered with a wave of love and support and kindness from across NSW and Australia.
“This most heinous crime, committed against the Bondi community and the Jewish people, was also an offence to all our communities and we stand shoulder to shoulder with Waverley Council as they now have this sad and heavy burden to bear.”
Mayor Nemesh thanked the Mayors for their demonstration of support and commended them for their ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism at a local level.
“The mayors gathered here today, come from different political backgrounds, different parts of the State and from different faiths. This issue transcends politics,” said Mayor Nemesh.
“What we are seeing here from our Mayors is clear and moral leadership.”
The following is a statement delivered to the Bondi memorial gathering by Mayor Nemesh:
“Following the unspeakable acts of evil committed here on the first night of Chanukah, our community has been in shock, in mourning and in grief.
The story of Chanukah is one where light triumphs over darkness. And as darkness descended over Bondi we saw some of the best of humanity emerge from individuals, Waverley Council staff, including our lifeguards, lifesavers and first responders.
As the Mayor of Waverley, I want to thank anyone who shone some light in that darkness.
Since Sunday I’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for our community in the wake of this tragedy. I know it is a great comfort to our community that, in these times, we continue to see acts of kindness, compassion and support directed our way.
Today I am joined by mayors from all over NSW who have come to show our community it is not alone. We are not alone.
The last time we gathered as mayors in this same place was in February of this year. We gathered with the mission in calling for action on antisemitism. We had seen hate spreading through our communities. We knew then as we know now that hatred targeted towards the Jewish people never ends there. It spreads like a virus. It infects our social cohesion and our Australian way of life. Tragically now, it has led directly to the loss of life.
I am grateful to the mayors here today for their support, their solidarity with our community and, in being here, their commitment to combatting antisemitism at a local level.
No community should go through what we are going through. No parent should have to bury their 10-year-old child like the parents of Matilda are today. Over the past few days I have spoken to countless members of our community; they should never have to feel this vulnerable, this hurt, this angry.
After each wave of antisemitic hate, our leaders have consistency proclaimed “enough” and “never again”. But never again can’t be just a slogan, it must be a call to action.
The time for words is over. We need collective leadership not only from local government, State government, but also especially Federal government. In spite of everything we have done to date, clearly the response has been inadequate. There is so much more to be done.
The mayors gathered here today come from different political backgrounds, different parts of the State and from different faiths. This issue transcends politics. What are seeing here from our mayors is clear and moral leadership.
To our national leaders, I beg you to take considered, proactive action NOW. To support State and local levels of government in taking action NOW. And for anyone who has joined us in our grief the past few days, who has sat and wondered how they can support us, who may have felt helpless in any way, this I ask you: don’t let hate, don’t let antisemitism go unchecked. Speak up, don’t stay silent. Every Australian has a role to play in how we move forward in our local communities, our workplaces, our schools, to ensure what has happened here never happens again.
Our Waverley community is strong, it is resilient, it is made up of people who care deeply for one another, who love each other. We must continue to love each other, to be there for one another.
The victims of this horrific terrorist attack, their families, all those impacted and those still in hospital are in our collective thoughts and prayers.
I ask that you light a candle each night at 6.47 for the duration of Chanukah (22 December) in honour of the victims and in support and solidarity with this community. Keep the light burning and we will triumph over darkness.
