A grieving woman has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of bearing responsibility for a tragic shooting incident, as she spoke outside a funeral for the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach attack.
Chana Friedman, in a heartfelt interview outside the service for 10-year-old Matilda on Thursday, declared that Albanese, who was not present at the ceremony, “must resign.”
When questioned about the Prime Minister’s absence, Ms. Friedman tearfully stated, “No, because he carries the responsibility for that girl’s death.”
She emotionally remarked to a reporter, “You’re all about to celebrate Christmas, right? Remember, Jesus was Jewish, and he would have resembled the rabbi who was killed last week.”
“We’ve all let her down… she was a ray of sunshine. Her friends described her as the friendliest, most beautiful, and happiest child,” Ms. Friedman added.
Matilda was the youngest among 15 innocent lives lost in Sunday’s shooting, marking Australia’s deadliest shooting event in recent history.
She was farewelled at the Chevra Kadisha Memorial Hall in Woollahra, with hundreds of friends, family and political leaders including Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Governor-General Sam Mostyn in attendance.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not attend because he was not invited, with her parents Valentyna and Michael slamming him on Wednesday for ‘failing’ to protect Jewish Australians.
Chana Friedman (pictured, right) called for Albanese’s resignation in an emotional interview outside the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda on Thursday
Matilda was shot in the stomach and died in hospital after doctors tried to save her life. This photo was taken on the day she died
Mourners carry the coffin of 10-year-old Matilda out of the memorial hall
‘[Albanese] has failed my daughter and failed every victim of the tragedy, and had they done more, this would not have happened,’ Valentyna said.
Michael said Albanese had not done enough to ‘protect Jewish people in this country’.
‘He has betrayed the Jewish people of Australia, and of the whole world,’ he said.
‘Like, what the hell is he thinking? And it showed what happened.’
There were too many mourners to fit inside the memorial hall ahead of the service on Thursday, with crowds spilling out to the adjacent street to watch proceedings on a screen set up for the occasion.
Family members were audibly crying during the service, as Matilda was described by the rabbi delivering her eulogy as a ‘beautiful, sweet girl’ who ‘grew up in a beautiful home with a beautiful family’.
‘The tragic, totally cruel unfathomable murder of young Matilda is something that is so painful to us like our own daughter was taken from us,’ he said.
‘Losing a child is the greatest pain a parent can go through.
Matilda’s mother Valentyna (centre) at her daughter’s funeral
‘The external question is ‘Why?’ but there is none because we can’t answer in life in the present – she must remain alive in our deeds.’
NSW Premier Chris Minns then delivered a heartfelt poem to mourners which referenced Matilda’s ‘beacon of love’ and ‘earthly light’.
‘From darkness they struck to where candles glowed bright,’ Minns said. ‘She’s waltzing with the angels, her love will always stay.
‘Her sorrow fills the campfire and tears a night are found. Matilda’s name.. will be safe.’
A crowd formed around Matilda’s coffin as people paid their respects to the little girl.
There were tearful scenes as the funeral car prepared to make its way to the cemetery, with Governor-General Sam Mostyn invited to walk behind the car.
A heavy police and private security presence remained in Woollahra until after the service finished.
As mourners dispersed and news crews packed their equipment, Vanessa – the mother of three-year-old Gigi who was shielded from gunfire under the body of a stranger – was the last one left, sitting on the steps of the memorial hall.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley arrives for the funeral
Matilda will be buried at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park.
A second memorial will be held at her school in La Perouse on Friday.
Following the attack on Sunday, the alleged gunmen were quickly identified as father Sajid Akram, 50, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24.
Sajid was shot dead by police, while Naveed is recovering from bullet wounds in hospital. He has been charged with 59 offences.
More to come.
