Jewish community leaders have declared the “time for talk is over” on stamping out worsening anti-Semitism in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack.

Hundreds of people had gathered at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when a father-son duo opened fire on the crowd.

A total of 16 people have been killed, including a 10-year-old girl, with at least 42 others wounded.

The incident was a deliberate attack on the Jewish community.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies David Ossip said the acts of violence were the progression of the dehumanisation of Jewish people since Hamas’ attack on Israel in 2023.

“The onus is now on the authorities to establish that Jewish life is safe here in Sydney, Australia … our country is one of the global epicentres of anti-Semitism,” he said.

“Now, after two years, this is a moment for strong, unequivocal and overwhelming leadership.

“Time for talk is over.”

Mr Ossip thanked the broader Australian public for reaching out in solidarity.

“This is a time when the Jewish community desperately needs to hear from you,” he said.

The national security committee, made up of the prime minister, senior ministers, federal police and ASIO, met on Monday afternoon.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in Sydney a bid to toughen gun laws after it emerged one of the shooters was licensed to legally own several firearms.

The prime minister said he will take the proposal to state and territory leaders at a meeting of national cabinet later on Monday.

Mr Albanese has faced calls to implement all of the recommendations handed down in a report by special envoy against anti-Semitism Jillian Segal.

He defended his government’s actions, saying Labor had introduced changes and would continue to act on the plan.

“What I want is for Australians to come together,” Mr Albanese said.

“Reinforcing the need for us to promote national unity, and that is critical.

“There is no place in Australia for anti-Semitism. There is no place for hatred.”

Mr Albanese did not directly respond to criticisms from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused the government of “doing nothing to stop the spread of anti-Semitism in Australia”.

Ms Segal said the messaging and education about how Jewish hatred harmed the community had been inadequate.

“Unfortunately, I have to say that I’ve been holding my breath, fearing that something like this would happen, because it hasn’t come without warning,” she told ABC Radio.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urged Mr Albanese to act on Ms Segal’s entire anti-Semitism report, saying “we’re still waiting”.

“We’ve seen a clear lack of leadership in keeping Jewish Australians safe,” she told reporters in Sydney.

“Everything must change from today in how governments respond, criminal acts have been perpetrated and repeated publicly.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong spoke to her Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar, who told her of Israel’s “pain and sorrow over the deadly anti-Semitic terrorist attack”.