A vigil held at Bondi Pavilion on January 18 aimed to express solidarity with the Australian Jewish community and honour the victims of the December 14 Chanukah terror attack. Organised by prominent criminal lawyer Peter Lavac, the gathering attracted over 120 attendees, many of whom carried Israeli flags and the pre-1979 flag of Iran.
The event began with Lavac reading the names of the 15 victims who lost their lives in the tragedy just metres away. “Today we want to show the world that we – ordinary Aussies – care about our Jewish brothers and sisters,” Lavac stated, expressing empathy for their suffering and affirming support for the community.
Lavac did not hold back in addressing the Australian government during his speech. He sharply criticized Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, stating, “What an absolute and utter disgrace it is that our prime minister had to be dragged kicking and screaming to a Royal Commission.” He emphasised that a commission should have been established following the firebombing of the Melbourne Addas Israel synagogue in December 2024, which he claimed the government ignored.
He revealed that he had consulted with “high-powered lawyer colleagues” regarding potential legal actions against the federal government. Options discussed included calls for the Governor-General to dismiss Albanese, pursuing a private prosecution for gross criminal negligence, or initiating a civil class action for failure to protect Australian citizens.
The vigil featured other notable speakers, including Dr Isaac Balbin, a cousin of victim Reuven Morrison; Yaakov Travitz from the Lions of Zion; and Robert Gregory, president of the Australian Jewish Association. Balbin addressed the crowd, stating, “To name the ideology that is responsible for the Bondi Beach massacre is not prejudice, it’s not racism – it is responsibility, and it’s clarity.” He attributed the attack to “radical Islamism, in partnership with socialism,” urging the audience to combat this ideology to prevent future tragedies.
Travitz echoed these sentiments, criticising the Australian government for attempting to differentiate between antisemitism and anti-Zionism, which he asserted are inextricably linked. He called for collective action, declaring, “The stronger our voices, the stronger our impact.” In a powerful statement to those opposing Jewish identity, he affirmed, “I will not be told to stay silent… I’m an extremely proud Jew, and extremely proud Zionist, and an extremely proud Australian!”
The vigil concluded with a symbolic gesture as Lavac and friends from the racing community drove a slow lap across Bondi Beach, carrying helium-filled bee-shaped balloons in memory of Matilda Bee Britvan, the youngest victim of the attack.
This gathering not only served as a memorial but also as a rallying point for the community to demand accountability and action from their leaders in the wake of violence targeting Jewish Australians.
