CityNews readers have their say on the consequences of the Bondi shooting massacre.

Some Australian politicians and sections of the media bear serious responsibility for the rise in antisemitism in this country which has now culminated in a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.

By failing to confront antisemitism clearly and consistently, and in some cases excusing or amplifying it, they have allowed hatred to fester.

So too should the anti-Israel protesters who brought a foreign conflict to Australian shores.

From the Opera House forecourt to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and across our universities and city centres, these demonstrations were presented as being in the name of peace, tolerance and concern for innocent Palestinian civilians. Yet they coincided with intimidation, fear and open hostility directed at our Jewish community.

Those who claim to govern for all Australians, unbiasedly report the news of the day and stand for peace and tolerance must now reflect openly and honestly on the consequences of their actions.

Darryl Johnston, Tuggeranong

Celebrations safer in synagogue grounds

Festivals like the Chanukah by the Sea celebration need to be held in the grounds of synagogues and Jewish colleges in Sydney.

I suggest Jews gather at places that offer a level of protection of themselves and also by NSW Police. Moreover, it is more difficult for police to protect people in more open settings. Such festivals could also be held in the private homes of believers.

To those who say this particular festival needs to be held near the sea, I can point to many ceremonies in other churches that are not held near the physical features they commemorate.

In light of the Bondi massacre, some people have called for Jews to make themselves more visible.

While I can understand the sentiment behind such statements, I don’t think it is a good idea to do this while tensions are heightened. We saw how a woman wearing a keffiyeh scarf in Bondi the next day had to be protected and moved on by police for her own protection.

Herman van de Brug, Holt 

Atrocity will further fuel migration debate

Regrettably, the inevitable outcome of the atrocity committed at Bondi will be to further fuel the migration debate.

Sussan Ley has already flagged she’s looking for people to blame, however we should not conflate the two issues.

Ian De Landelles, Murrays Beach

Time to ban all so-called recreational hunting

After the initial shock and trauma of the Bondi Beach shootings, people are asking why the shooters had six high-powered firearms, and why are we being told they were all legally owned?

National Cabinet has unanimously agreed to an overdue revision of gun laws. Recent research shows that there are four million guns in the hands of civilians, and it appears that getting a category A or B licence (which includes high powered shotguns and ‘repeater’ rifles) is not difficult, requiring only a simple assessment as a ‘fit and proper person’ and a reason the shooter ‘needs’ the gun. This can include citing the obscene term ‘recreational hunting’.

Recreational hunting can only be interpreted as killing for fun. The International Handbook of Animal Abuse and Cruelty states that “individuals with a history of animal cruelty were highly likely to be involved in other types of criminal behaviours including, but not limited to, assault, domestic violence and stealing”. Hunting is ineffective in controlling animal numbers while it always involves appalling acts of cruelty. It is not a sport, nor should it be considered entertainment.

The Bondi shooters appear to have trained with 0.308 calibre ammunition, usually used to hunt larger animals. To those who see other humans as unworthy of life, humans (in this case Jewish ones) are just such large animals. The solution the Commonwealth and state governments should be imposing is to ban all so-called recreational hunting. Tolerating acts of violence towards any animal is a danger to all.

Dr Desmond Bellamy, PETA Australia, Sydney