Youngest Bondi victim buried as Australia vows crackdown on hate

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Dec 18 promised a crackdown on hate speech in the wake of an attack on a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, as the youngest of the 15 victims was buried.

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Yellow toy bees topped the coffin of 10-year-old Matilda, who was remembered as a “ray of sunshine” who loved animals and dancing.

Matilda’s middle name was Bee, which inspired attendees to wear bee stickers, and bee-themed toys and balloons, while some mourners wore yellow.

Matilda’s family had requested media not to use their surname.

“The tragic, so totally cruel, unfathomable murder of young Matilda is something to all of us as if our own daughter was taken from us,” said Rabbi Yehoram Ulman.

“Matilda grew up like a child would, loving what children love. She loved the outdoors, animals. She went to school, she had friends, everybody loved her.”

The alleged father-and-son gunmen opened fire as hundreds of people celebrated Hanukkah at the famous Bondi Beach on Dec 14.

The attack, which shocked the nation and led to fears over rising anti-Semitism, appears to have been inspired by Islamic State, the authorities say.

The line outside the hall where Matilda’s funeral was held in Sydney’s eastern suburbs snaked down the street.

Many mourners who could not get in watched the service on a screen outside the building.

Some were angry at the government, saying it had not done enough to combat a rise in anti-Semitism since the start of the war in Gaza.