Sydney, Australia – December 15, 2025
In a brazen act of antisemitic terrorism that has shattered Australia's sense of security, two gunmen opened fire on a joyful Hanukkah gathering at iconic Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more. The attack, which unfolded around 6:47 p.m. AEDT on Sunday, December 14, targeted the "Chanukah by the Sea" event organized by the Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi, drawing hundreds of Jewish families to the sun-kissed shores for the holiday's first night of celebrations.
New South Wales Police have declared the incident a terrorist attack, confirming that the perpetrators—a father and son duo identified in local media as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24—deliberately sought out the Jewish community. Sajid Akram was killed at the scene by responding officers, bringing the total death toll to 16 when including the assailant, while Naveed remains in critical condition at St. Vincent's Hospital under heavy guard. Authorities recovered multiple firearms from the scene, including weapons legally held by the elder Akram under a long-standing license, prompting immediate calls for gun law reforms.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of pandemonium as gunfire erupted amid menorah lightings and festive music. "It was pure joy one moment—families singing, children laughing—and then screams everywhere," recounted survivor Miriam Levy, a local teacher who escaped with minor injuries. Among the confirmed victims are 10-year-old Sophie Cohen, a British-born Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger, retired NSW Police officer Michael Hargreaves, and 92-year-old Holocaust survivor Ruth Goldstein, whose family fled Nazi-occupied Europe decades ago. At least 27 others were hospitalized, with several in critical condition, including an Israeli citizen.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, addressing the nation from Parliament House in Canberra, labeled the shooting a "dark moment for our nation" and an "act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism." Visiting the bloodstained sands of Bondi early Monday, he vowed to "do whatever is necessary" to safeguard Jewish Australians, announcing that the National Cabinet would convene urgently to review firearm licensing, ownership limits, and the abolition of perpetual gun licenses. "Bondi Beach, a place of light and life, has been forever tarnished by this hatred," Albanese said, his voice breaking as he laid a wreath at Archer Park, the epicenter of the violence.
NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed the sentiment, stating the assault was "designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, which should have been a night of peace and joy." "Incidents targeting our Jewish communities have no place in our society," he added, pledging enhanced security for upcoming holiday events and support services for affected families. The state government has activated crisis counseling hotlines and allocated emergency funds for victims' medical and funeral costs.
The attack has ignited widespread grief and solidarity across Australia. Vigils sprang up overnight, with hundreds gathering at Bondi for a second Hanukkah candle lighting, many placing candles in windows as a symbol of defiance against darkness. Flags flew at half-mast over government buildings, including a poignant gesture from one resident who lowered the New South Wales state flag in mourning. The Zionist Federation of Australia condemned the violence as a "terrorist attack against the Jewish community," with President Jeremy Leibler speaking emotionally on local radio about the personal toll.
Global reactions poured in swiftly. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Albanese's recent recognition of a Palestinian state, linking it indirectly to rising tensions, while urging unity against hate. In London and New York, security was bolstered at Hanukkah events amid fears of copycat attacks. The Global Imams Council issued a strong condemnation, with Imam Tawhidi stating, "Terrorism in any form, against any community, is an affront to humanity."
This tragedy unfolds against a backdrop of escalating antisemitism in Australia, exacerbated by the Israel-Gaza conflict. Jewish advocacy groups report a 300% surge in hate incidents since October 2023, including vandalism and online threats, even as community leaders decry insufficient government action. One post-attack vigil at Bondi turned tense when police escorted away Michelle Berkon, a Jewish member of Jews Against the Occupation, after she voiced pro-Palestine sentiments and was confronted by the crowd—highlighting the raw emotions and divisions the shooting has unearthed.
As investigations continue, with counter-terrorism units probing potential ISIS links after flags were reportedly found at the scene, Australians from all walks of life are uniting in mourning. Rabbi Moshe Gutnick, who lost close friends in the attack, urged resilience: "This was due to antisemitism, not gun control alone. But we will light more candles, not fewer."
Bondi Beach, once synonymous with surf and sunshine, now bears the scars of unimaginable loss. For the victims' families and a grieving nation, the path to healing—and justice—begins in the flickering light of Hanukkah's enduring miracle.
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