Israeli officials moved swiftly on Sunday to place responsibility for the deadly shooting in Sydney, Australia, on the Australian government, accusing it of ignoring “countless warning signs” of rising antisemitism.

Speaking at a government meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu read aloud from a letter he had sent earlier this year to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, following Albanese’s public support for the creation of a Palestinian state.

“Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the fire of antisemitism,” Netanyahu wrote. “It rewards Hamas terrorists, emboldens those who threaten Australian Jews and encourages the hatred now spreading through your streets. Antisemitism is a cancer — it grows when leaders remain silent and retreats when leaders act.”

Netanyahu went on to accuse the Australian government of failing to respond decisively.

“Instead of replacing weakness with action, you responded with further appeasement,” he said. “Your government took no meaningful steps to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia. You allowed the disease to grow — and today we are witnessing the horrific consequences.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also issued unusually blunt statements following the attack, which killed at least 11 people and left 29 others hospitalized.

“Time and again, we warned the Australian government about the massive wave of antisemitism affecting Australian society,” Herzog wrote in a social media post, which included an image of a blood-stained prayer shawl.

Foreign Minister Saar was even more forceful, asserting that authorities had ignored clear indicators of escalating Islamist extremism alongside antisemitic violence.

“I am appalled by the murderous shooting at a Hanukkah event in Sydney,” Saar said. “This attack is the direct result of years of unchecked antisemitic incitement in Australia, including calls to ‘Globalize the Intifada,’ which tragically became reality today.”

“The Australian government received countless warning signs and must now come to its senses,” he added.

Australian police said the attack targeted a Jewish “Chanukah By The Sea” gathering at Bondi Beach. Authorities believe at least two gunmen were involved; one suspect was killed at the scene, while another remains hospitalized. Investigators are also examining whether a third suspect may have participated.

Police further confirmed that multiple improvised explosive devices were discovered inside a vehicle near the site of the attack. Bomb disposal units were deployed as a precaution.

New South Wales authorities said the national threat level remains “probable” as the investigation continues.