Australia’s PM called a 'putrid dog' and chased out of mosque during Ramadan event

Anthony Albanese was visiting Lakemba Mosque in the south west of Sydney as communities marked Eid, the end of Ramadan.

But he was surrounded and called a “genocide supporter” and a “putrid dog” by a crowd of worshippers.

He has faced criticism over his centre-Left government’s support for both a ceasefire, and Israel’s right to defend itself.

Mr Albanese attended the mosque with home affairs minister Tony Burke. The men were mete with cries of “genocide supporters”.

Another man shouted: “Why is he in here? Get him out of here!” 

Another shouted: “He’s responsible for the deaths of one million people, one million of our brothers and sisters.”

One attendee was seen having his mouth forcibly covered by another in an attempt to silence his shouting.

“We must engage and have frank and open dialogue with our political leaders, and not shy away and be reclusive,” mosque secretary Gamel Kheir said.

Mr Albanese’s security detail rushed him into a back office and then out through a rear exit.

Australia’s Bondi Beach was the site of an anti-Semitic terror attack in December which left 15 people dead. A father and son opened fire on crowds who had gathered for a Hanukkah event.

Mr Albanese later posted photos on X showing him smiling and shaking hands with attendees at the mosque.

He said afterwards: “I walked through the crowd to the mosque, and not a single person heckled. There were a couple of hecklers inside; they were dealt with.”