Diplomatic tensions between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Israeli counterpart have deepened after a deadly attack on a Jewish festival on Australia’s famous Bondi Beach, as domestic pressure on his government to take action against anti-Semitism increased.

Albanese called for unity on Monday (December 15) and said his government was ready to take whatever action was necessary.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Albanese of failing to take action to combat rising anti-Semitism since 2023.

Jewish community leaders also expressed disappointment in the aftermath of the attack.

“There is a terrible level of anti-Semitism in this country, like in other countries,” Rabbi Levi Wolf, head of Sydney’s Central Synagogue, told Reuters on Sunday in Bondi Beach.

A friend of Wolf’s was also shot dead by the attacker on Sunday.

He added that these incidents happen when issues like anti-Semitism are not controlled from the top.

Meanwhile, at a news conference, Albanese read out a list of measures his government has taken, including criminalizing hate speech and incitement to violence and banning the Nazi salute.

He also promised to increase funding for physical protection for Jewish community groups and pointed to the need for tougher gun laws in Australia.

Two gunmen opened fire during a Jewish event on Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 15 people. One of the gunmen was later killed. The other was reportedly seriously injured. The two attackers were also reported to be father and son.

Meanwhile, the leader of Australia’s conservative Liberal opposition party has also accused the Labor government of allowing anti-Semitism to grow in Australia.