Mayor and local MP for WA’s largest Jewish community pledge support after Bondi Beach terrorist attack

Local leaders across the City of Stirling area have reaffirmed their support for Perth’s Jewish community and moved to bolster local security following the horrific Bondi Beach terror attacks in Sydney on Sunday.

More than 3200 Jewish residents live in the City of Stirling, which makes up roughly half of Western Australia’s Jewish population.

While there is no intelligence to suggest a heightened threat in Perth, in response to Sunday’s terrorist attack and rising concerns about antisemitism, WA Police have launched Operation Dalewood.

The operation will see police increase their presence at Jewish community locations and maintain high-visibility patrols across the city.

Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin said the City of Stirling stood united with its Jewish residents and would continue to support the community in the coming weeks.

“The City of Stirling stands in solidarity with our Jewish community after the sickening terror attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday,” Mr Irwin said.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected, from the loved ones of the victims to the emergency responders and members of the Jewish community here in the City of Stirling.”

Flags outside the City’s Civic Centre were flown at half-mast on Monday to honour the victims of the attack, which the mayor described as “an act of hatred that is irreconcilable with our values and way of life”.

The bulk of Perth’s Jewish residents live in tightly-knit communities in the Stirling area, which is home to the State’s largest synagogues, Jewish schools and community hubs.

Mr Irwin said the city was proud to be home to a thriving Jewish population, which is the eighth-largest of any local government area in Australia.

He said security had now been stepped up at key institutions across the area.

“It is understandable that our Jewish residents may be feeling targeted and vulnerable in the wake of this tragedy,” Mr Irwin said.

“We have reached out to the Jewish community to extend our solidarity and support and we will continue to work closely with them in the weeks to come.

“We have stepped up our community safety patrols in line with the response from WA Police.”

Frank Paolino, the State MP for Mount Lawley, which includes suburbs with a strong Jewish presence, condemned the attacks and said the electorate would remain “a place of peace and belonging for all Western Australians who wish to be part of our community”.

Mr Paolino joined Premier Roger Cook, Police Minister Reece Whitby and Attorney-General Tony Buti, along with WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch, at a round-table meeting with Jewish community leaders in Yokine on Monday, at the JHUB Maccabi Community Centre.

“Let me be clear, there is no place for hatred, violence, or antisemitism in Australia or in our world,” Mr Paolino said.

“Our community will not be divided by hate. We stand united with Jewish Australians and all affected communities, especially the Jewish Community of Western Australia.”

Local Rabbi Marcus Solomon, who attended yesterday’s round-table meeting and is a justice on the Supreme Court of WA, pledged to rise above the hate.

“I am Australian through and through, and I love this country,” Mr Solomon said.

“I’m not going to change my behaviour because of these people.”

Mr Irwin said it was an important time for unity in the community, not division.

“Australians of all races and religions have a right to feel safe and welcome in our community, so let us stand together in rejecting all forms of discrimination and violence,” he said.