STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Australian authorities say the two suspects in Sunday's attack on a Jewish holiday celebration were motivated by the Islamic State group.
A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
Hundreds of people had gathered for an annual beachside event marking the first night of Hanukkah when the pair opened fire, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more. Now vigils are being held to remember the victims.
INSKEEP: Kristina Kukolja is at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where crowds have gathered. Welcome back.
KRISTINA KUKOLJA: Thank you, Steve.
INSKEEP: What are you seeing and hearing there?
KUKOLJA: Well, I'm standing next to a makeshift memorial not far from where Sunday's attack happened. And it's a cool Tuesday evening here, and around me, there is a sea of hundreds who have come to pay their respects to the victims. I've been watching as people slowly and respectfully make their way through the small streets approaching Bondi Beach, many carrying flowers. And they're from all walks of life, of all ages, members of the Jewish community but also the wider Australian community. And there's a very serene feeling here with the sound of the waves in the background. But there's also a heavy police presence, and I've been hearing police car sirens and seeing flashing lights and the heavy roadblocks in the background. And it's all just a reminder of the tragedy that happened not very far from here only 48 hours ago.
INSKEEP: And a reminder that the investigation continues. What are you learning there?
KUKOLJA: There've been some significant developments in the investigation, yes. New South Wales police have said that improvised explosive devices and two what they called homemade Islamic State flags were found in a car linked to one of the men, the son who is currently in hospital in police custody. His father was shot dead by police on Sunday. They also said the counterterrorism investigation would now look at why the two men visited the Philippines last month and the places they may have traveled to. Now, the Philippines Immigration Bureau has told NPR that the men arrived in the country together in early November and reported their final destination as Davao on the southern island of Mindanao. It says they left the country in late November. The bureau has identified the father as an Indian national and a resident of Australia. The son is an Australian citizen. And Australian authorities have reiterated that at this point, though, there's no evidence that other people were involved in the attack.
INSKEEP: Some people here have been interested in the gun control debate in Australia. How is that evolving in the days after this attack?
KUKOLJA: We've seen Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, together with state and territory leaders, commit to immediate action to tighten Australia's gun laws. And the measures that are being considered now include limiting the number of weapons a person can own and the length of time licenses are issued for and, as well, making citizenship a condition for holding a gun license.
INSKEEP: We also heard on NPR yesterday a member of an Australian Jewish group who alleged that the government had been very slow to respond to antisemitism over the past couple of years. How's the government answering that?
KUKOLJA: The prime minister has been criticized by some members of the Jewish community over what they see as a failure to address antisemitism in the country and keep the community safe. And indeed, Australia has seen a rise in attacks, in incidents targeting the Jewish community since the October 7 attacks on Israel and the war in Gaza that began in late 2023. But the prime minister has rejected that criticism. He says now is the time for the country to come together, and he's pledged to work to eradicate hate, violence and terrorism in Australia.
INSKEEP: Reporter Kristina Kukolja, thanks so much.
KUKOLJA: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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