Mourners lay flowers at a memorial on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, December 15. AAP/Bianca De Marchi via REUTERS
Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said Singapore will not tolerate hate speech against any group after Shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia where at least 16 people died, including a child.
Shanmugam linked the attack to rising anti-Semitism in Australia. CNA reportedciting data from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry showing the number of incidents had reached an “all-time high”.
He stressed that Singapore's laws prohibit inciting hatred against Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus or identity-defined communities such as LGBT groups.
Shanmugam warned that history shows that hate speech dehumanizes groups and justifies violence, highlighting why Singapore imposes strict penalties including the death penalty for murder.
He recalled a dialogue with the Jewish community last month, assuring them that Singapore's laws guarantee fairness, freedom of religion and protection from discrimination.
State Minister Faishal Ibrahim also condemned the attack, saying “such violence has no place in society or anywhere.” Mothership noted.
Singapore's religious communities expressed their condolences, strengthening interfaith solidarity and resilience against global hate crimes.
shooting occurred during Hanukkah celebrations About 1000 people visited. Description ITV News scenes of chaos hundreds of people fled as gunmen fired shotguns from a pedestrian bridge.
The attack, which Reuters called Australia's worst mass shooting in decades, left 16 people dead and 40 were hospitalized. The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack “evil anti-Semitism and terrorism,” Reuters notes. He stressed that “an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.”
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed condolences to Albanesecalling the attack “senseless violence” and an “act of terrorism.”
