There is a 'Vigil for Bondi' being held this evening in my new adopted beach side city. Police will in attendance of course. There will be New Zealand & Australian flags, plus the Israeli flag for remembrance.
I mentioned the vigil to friends and work colleagues and the response was disappointing........words like 'you're not thinking of attending are you' or 'I'll be keeping well away from that'.
The overall inference was it will be dangerous to attend, there will be trouble etc etc...........Given what has just occurred in Bondi I was taken aback by the reactions and comments, which came from folks who had been expressing deep sorrow and horror at what had taken place.
I'm not Jewish or align myself with any particular faith, however thought this is the very time Kiwis should be standing in support of our Australian cousins and NZ Jewish community.
What gets me is the genuine fear the vigil would be attacked or is it more about not offending Muslims or other segments of our multi-cultural society?
Either way I thought their responses limp and cowardly and a reflection on how weak & pathetic some sectors of western society has become in recent years........