Senior figure in Australia’s Islamic community Jamal Rifi strongly condemned to Australian press, the terror attack in Sydney, describing it as a “massacre” and an abhorrent antisemitic act that harmed innocent Australian citizens.

Even so - in an (Arabic) interview with Al Araby TV, Rifi said the attack was a despicable act of antisemitism. However, he also claimed the massacre serves political objectives in Israel and suggested it is connected to Israel’s upcoming elections. 

Rifi further argued that blaming the Australian government for the attack — particularly claims that Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state led to the violence — is “completely wrong,” rejecting any link between government policy and the terror incident.