Terror Attack at Australian Jewish Celebration Leaves 15 Dead

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — At least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured when two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, in what authorities have designated as a terrorism event targeting the Jewish community.

The attack occurred during “Chanukah by the Sea,” a public Hanukkah celebration organized by Chabad that drew over 1,000 attendees on the first night of the eight-day Jewish festival. Families had gathered for face painting, ice cream, outdoor movies, and a petting zoo when the violence erupted around 6:45 p.m. local time.

The Attack

Witnesses described scenes of chaos as two men, later identified by authorities as a father and son, unleashed a barrage of gunfire from a footbridge near the Bondi Park playground. Video footage verified by multiple news outlets shows beachgoers fleeing in panic as shots rang out for approximately 10 minutes.

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Those killed were aged between 10 and 87, with one victim identified as a Holocaust survivor. Among the dead was Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi with Chabad of Bondi, and Dan Elkayam, a French national. Forty-two people remained hospitalized following the attack, including several in critical condition and two police officers.

The Suspects

Australian authorities have identified the attackers as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, Pakistani nationals residing in Sydney.

The elder Akram was killed at the scene by police, while Naveed Akram was critically wounded and remains hospitalized under police guard.

Australia’s domestic intelligence agency ASIO examined Naveed Akram six years ago for his close ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State terrorism cell. ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess confirmed that one of the individuals was known to the agency, though not considered an immediate threat.

Police recovered six firearms from the scene and confirmed that Sajid Akram held a valid gun license for six registered firearms. Investigators also reportedly found an Islamic State flag and explosive devices in the suspects’ vehicle.

Response and Condemnation

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack in the strongest terms. He called it an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, and an act of terrorism, emphasizing that the assault was deliberately timed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns noted the attack was designed specifically to harm Jewish Australians during their religious celebration. He also praised the extraordinary courage of bystanders who intervened, including Ahmed al Ahmed, a local fruit vendor who wrestled a rifle from one of the gunmen.

International leaders quickly joined in condemnation. US President Donald Trump called it a purely antisemitic attack, while leaders from Germany, Ukraine, France, and other nations expressed solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.

Security Concerns

The attack has prompted heightened security measures for Jewish communities worldwide. Law enforcement agencies in New York City, Los Angeles, and other major cities with significant Jewish populations announced increased patrols at synagogues and Hanukkah celebrations.

The incident comes amid rising antisemitism in Australia since October 2023. A recent report by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry documented over 1,600 antisemitic incidents nationwide in the past year.

Premier Minns announced that New South Wales would be moving quickly to tighten firearms legislation in response to the attack, marking the first major review since strict gun control measures were implemented following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania.

Impact on Australia

The Bondi Beach shooting represents the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since Port Arthur nearly three decades ago, shattering the nation’s long-held sense of security regarding gun violence. The attack has reopened painful debates about terrorism, community safety, and the protection of religious minorities.

Bondi Beach, an affluent suburb close to downtown Sydney, is part of the Waverley local government area, which serves as the center of Sydney’s Jewish life.

As Australia mourns, vigils have been organized across the country, with community members placing flowers and lighting candles at the site of the tragedy. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine whether the attackers had any additional support or connections to terrorist networks.