Why weren't the Bondi stabbings declared a terrorist act?
Apr 23, 2024
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Guardian Australia political editor Karen Middleton discusses redefining terrorism after Bondi stabbings. Topics include police responses, criteria for terrorism, and the debate on violence against women categorized as terrorism or misogyny-driven terrorism.
Terrorism definitions need revision to include misogyny as a motive for violence.
Authorities' responses to attacks reflect societal need for recognizing misogyny as terrorism.
Deep dives
Two Distinct Responses to Stabbing Incidents in Sydney
Two recent stabbing incidents in Sydney triggered different responses from authorities. While the alleged attack of an Assyrian bishop was swiftly labeled a terrorist act due to religious motivations, the mass stabbing at Bondi Junction, primarily targeting women, was attributed to the mental health of the perpetrator. The contrasting police treatments in these cases sparked debates on the definition of terrorism and when to apply the label, raising questions on the implications of such categorizations.
Differentiating Factors Between the Incidents
Several differences exist between the Wakeley church attack and the Bondi Junction stabbing. The perpetrator in the church attack is alive, a young individual, while in Bondi, the perpetrator was deceased. Police handling also varied, with commendation at Bondi and criticism at Wakeley. Moreover, the focus on mental health differed, with the Wakeley incident emphasizing religious ideology over mental health concerns.
Challenges in Defining Ideologically Motivated Terrorism
The podcast delves into the complex task of defining ideologically motivated terrorism in cases involving misogynistic motives. The discussion brings to light debates on categorizing misogyny within the terrorism definition and the broader implications of such classifications. Authorities and political leaders' responses to violence against women indicate a societal need for shifts in acknowledging and addressing such forms of violence.
In the aftermath of the Bondi Junction and Wakeley stabbing attacks, Guardian Australia political editor Karen Middleton tells Nour Haydar why there are calls to redefine terrorism and responses to violence against women You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
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