That such an evil and horrific act can be perpetuated – killing and injury so many innocent, peaceful, and law-abiding Jews while celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach – beggars belief.

Such barbarism should not surprise.

Jews have long been subjected to violence, as proven by the long history of hatred and persecution of Jews illustrated by the pogroms in 19th Century Russia, the Nazi Holocaust, and the 2023 October 7 attack by Hamas.

The 2002 Bali bombing that killed 88 Australians, the Holsworthy Barracks terror plot, the Lindt Café siege, and Curtis Cheng’s murder outside the Paramatta Police Station also prove the dark spectre of Islamic terrorism is a constant and ongoing threat.

It’s not surprising violence eventually erupted on the sand of Bondi Beach, given the inaction of governments in failing to stem the rise of antisemitism evident since October 7.

What’s to be done?

While practical steps like tighter gun laws, ensuring ASIO is properly funded, and banning placards and chants praising terrorist memes are important, they fail to address the most consequential issue.

Instead of immigrants committing to what Tony Abbott terms ‘team Australia’ by assimilating into the existing culture, since Malcolm Fraser was Prime Minister multiculturalism has been forced on the nation. Across government departments, schools, and universities multiculturalism became the official policy repeated ad nauseam by the self-serving multicultural industry.

Instead of promoting national stability, cohesion, and a commitment to common beliefs and values, multiculturalism celebrates diversity and difference on the supposed basis all cultures, no matter how un-Australian.

Every major city now hosts enclave communities which have resulted from this policy decision. As predicted by Australia’s eminent historian Geoffrey Blainey, we have become a nation of tribes where, in some suburbs, English is a foreign language and Aussies are a rarity.

As well as making Australians strangers in their own land, multiculturalism is inherently dangerous. Taken to its logical conclusion, it promotes cultural relativism where it becomes impossible to argue some cultural practices are foreign and abhorrent.

The results are clear to see. We have some ethnic communities where female genital mutilation, child brides, and the subjugation of women are allowed. We also have radical Islamist preachers celebrating antisemitism and calling for a global jihad against the West.

As suggested by a recent Resolve survey, 54 per cent of those surveyed want migrants who can speak English and who are from countries with similar laws and customs. It’s obvious more and more Australians want to reclaim the country’s national identity.

Demonstrations involving thousands across the nation last August and October by citizens proudly displaying the Australian flag are also evidence more and more are saying ‘enough is enough’ as is the increasing popularity of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.

It’s not racist to argue immigrants must be law-abiding citizens who respect our institutions and way of life. We are a Western, liberal democracy where the rights and liberties of citizens must be safeguarded. There is no room for foreign prejudices and hatreds and any who violate such a social pact must be expelled.

It’s also not xenophobic to argue that the national curriculum should teach Australia as one of the success stories of Western Civilisation, even for all its faults. Those who live here should be grateful. Instead, the system is preaching diversity and difference while indoctrinating students with multicultural ideology.

One only has to see the impact of multiculturalism and unchecked immigration on Europe and the United Kingdom to realise what a destructive ideology it is. Parts of London, Berlin, and Paris have become ethnic enclaves rife with crime and hatred of the West.

Islamic terrorism is widespread and, as argued by Douglas Murray in the Strange Death of Europe, more and more citizens are strangers in their own land. Roger Scruton makes a similar point when arguing politicians have long since undermined community, national unity, and pride.

Prime Minister Albanese’s talk about strengthening gun laws evades the issue of protecting the nation by ensuring those seeking to live here commit to and live by the nation’s laws, beliefs, and values.

As to why the ALP are so reticent look no further than the reality, as noted by Philip Benwell, the Chair of the Monarchist League, ‘In Western Sydney alone, the seat of Blaxland is estimated to have a 31.7 per cent Muslim vote and the adjoining seat of Watson a 22 per cent Muslim vote. Even Parramatta is estimated to have a 10.5 per cent Muslim vote.’

Ten years ago, in an op-ed published in the Daily Telegraph, I argued we must ‘acknowledge and defend the unique nature and benefits of Western, liberal democracies like Australia and what unifies us as a nation’. Since then, matters have only got worse.

Dr Kevin Donnelly is a conservative commentator, cultural critic and author of Christianity Matters.