A Greens senator was heckled by the public in tense scenes during a TV interview as she attended a Bondi vigil.
Mehreen Faruqi attended the vigil on Monday alongside NSW Greens MP Abigail Boyd, after Greens Senator David Shoebridge earlier laid flowers at the site.
It came a day after a shooting during Hanukkah celebrations that killed 15 people and injured dozens.
During Senator Faruqi’s visit, Sky News host Sharri Markson questioned her about whether pro-Palestinian protests and “aggressive” rhetoric had contributed to rising antisemitism over the past two years.
Senator Faruqi said she was at Bondi “to mourn”.
“We are here to mourn all of those who have been unforgivably killed,” she said. “ We are here mourning and giving respect to the community.”
Markson began asking another question when a member of the public was heard shouting “shame on you”, “you’re a disgrace” and claiming she had “blood on [her] hands”.
Markson continued to press Senator Faruqi on her past support for pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including protests where chants such as “intifada” were heard.
She questioned how such protests would “lead to anything else, other than the terror attack that we saw here last night”, and if Ms Faruqi regretted attending them. She also asked whether Senator Faruqi would like to apologise.
“Today is about heart and humanity for those who have lost their loved ones, for those who have been injured,” Ms Faruqi said.
Ms Boyd added: “Today’s a day for grieving, not politics”.
“We shouldn’t be grieving,” Markson replied.
In a statement to news.com.au following the incident, Senator Faruqi said: “It was very important to me to pay tribute to all the victims of this horrific violence, and especially to a friend of our family who was brutally murdered on Sunday.
“It is deeply disappointing to see outlets try to take advantage of this tragedy to continue pushing a hateful and political agenda at a time when the whole country is grieving.”
Senator Faruqi has been a vocal critic of Israel since the Gaza conflict began and has previously supported sanctions against Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
In 2024 she copped criticism after posting, and quickly deleting, a picture of herself and pro-Palestine university protestors. One of them appeared to be holding a placard depicting an Israeli flag thrown into a rubbish bin with the slogan: “keep the world clean”.
She was also censured by the Senate in July after protesting during the Governor-General’s address to Parliament by holding up a sign and was barred from overseas delegations for the remainder of the parliamentary term.
She also attended Sydney Airport with demonstrators to mark the return of several Australian sailors from humanitarian aid ships which were operating in the Mediterranean.
It was also revealed last week that she, in November 2023, attended a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne at taxpayers’ expense. She flew in a loved one from Sydney at a cost of $1370.94.
Following Sunday’s attack, Senator Faruqi released a statement condemning the violence.
“My heart filled with dread when I saw the news this evening. I’m absolutely devastated by the horrific violence at Bondi Beach tonight. This is an appalling and unforgivable act of violence,” she wrote.
“My thoughts are especially with the Jewish community.
“My heart goes out to all who have lost loved ones and those who were injured and my immense gratitude to the first responders who have risked their lives to keep our communities safe.”
On Monday night, Liberal MP Andrew Hastie launched a blistering attack on Senator Faruqi for attending the vigil.
Hastie did not hold back in his criticism of the Greens.
“It’s utter hypocrisy,” Mr Hastie said.
“They have allowed anti-Semitism to grow, and now 15 innocent people, from age 10 to 87, are dead. For her to rock up didn’t wash with me, mate.”
He called the attack “a monumental failure” by the Albanese government, citing its inaction on recommendations from a July report by Special Envoy for Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal.
“They’ve had two years to act and failed,” Mr Hastie said.
“How did this slip through ASIO’s fingers? How was this not detected?”
The former Assistant Defence Minister also criticised the police response, arguing officers were outgunned.
“They should have had long arms,” Hastie said, referring to semi-automatic rifles.
“Instead, they had pistols, and that’s why it dragged out for so long.”
news.com.au has reached out to Senator Farqui’s office for comment.
