‘Staggering’: Greens Leader Panned for Israel Comments After UK Synagogue Attack

‘Either she misspoke or is completely unable to see the danger of excusing the violent murder of two Jewish people,’ Josh Burns said.

Australian Greens Senator Larissa Waters speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Sept. 2, 2025. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Greens leader Larissa Waters has received backlash from both the Coalition and Labor Party after criticising Israel when asked about the Manchester synagogue attack.

On Oct. 2, a man launched a deadly attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester during the Yom Kippur holiday, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

The attack, which has left the British community shocked, killed two worshippers and left three others injured. Jihad Al Shamie, a Syrian man granted UK citizenship in 2016, has been named as the attacker.

When asked for her reaction to the Manchester attack and if it had changed her views on anti-Semitism, Waters instead talked about the need to sanction Israel.

“Oh look, my heart goes out to the families of those people. No violence anywhere is acceptable and this is exactly why we need a resolution that is based on self determination and why Australia should have two years ago imposed serious sanctions on the Israeli government,” she said on ABC Insiders.

Waters continued, saying Israel had been “conducting a genocide” and starving children.

“And yet we have been selling weapons to that conflict and not imposing the same sanctions,” she said.

The Greens leader was then pressed to answer the question on anti-Semitism and the fatal attack on a synagogue.

She said, “we have condemned that,” adding, “violence on any basis is not acceptable,” before again bringing up the need for sanctions against Israel.

The attacker was shot dead by police at the scene. One of the victims was accidentally fatally shot by a police officer.

Labor, Coalition, and Jewish Leaders Condemn Reaction

Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns raised concerns that Waters’ comments provided an excuse for the attack.

“I personally found the comments staggering. Either she misspoke or is completely unable to see the danger of excusing the violent murder of two Jewish people by somehow saying that is acceptable due to her opinion of what is going on in Israel,” Burns told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“By Larissa Waters’ logic, all Jews across the world are legitimate targets because of the actions of the Israeli government,” he said.

Acting Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson said Waters’ comments were insensitive and called for an apology.

“Larissa Waters’ repeated attempts to link alleged Australian arm sales to Israel to the murder of Jews worshipping at a synagogue in Manchester was grossly offensive and insensitive,” he said on X.

Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler also strongly raised concerns with Waters’ comments.

“This is one of the most outrageous anti-Semitic and morally bankrupt comments from Larissa Waters that I have heard since 7 October,” he said on X.

“The lesson she learned from Jews being murdered in Manchester while praying on the holiest day of the year is to sanction the Jewish State.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley both expressed support for the UK and condemned the attack on Oct. 2.

Latest Updates In the Investigation

Greater Manchester Police said on Oct. 5 (UK time) that investigations into the terrorist incident are continuing “at pace.”

Four individuals remain in custody and have been arrested on “suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.” Two others have been arrested without charge.

“We understand there is significant public interest in this case, and appreciate many who may have known or had previous contact with Jihad Al-Shamie will be coming to terms with the fact this horrifying attack has been perpetrated by somebody they recognise,” the police said.