Post by : Rameen Ariff

A shocking attack at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach left at least 16 people dead and over 40 injured, including two police officers, as a father and son opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration. The mass shooting, which erupted at the Chanukah by the Sea festival, is the deadliest in Australia in almost three decades, despite the country’s strict gun laws.

Authorities identified the attackers as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Sajid was fatally shot by police at the scene, while Naveed sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in a local hospital. Reports suggest that the attackers had Pakistani origins, with Naveed born in Australia and Sajid arriving on a student visa in 1998 before transitioning to permanent residency.

The violent attack unfolded as thousands of people gathered at Bondi Beach to celebrate the eight-day Hanukkah festival. Eyewitnesses described utter chaos as gunfire rang out for approximately ten minutes, forcing beachgoers to flee across the sand and into nearby streets. Several videos posted on social media captured two men dressed in black, firing long guns from a footbridge overlooking the crowd. One of the shooters, Naveed Akram, was seen gesturing to bystanders to move away before resuming fire on the crowd, while his father, Sajid Akram, advanced toward the gathering, only to be pushed back by police.

Video footage from the scene indicated that the attackers were using a bolt-action rifle and a shotgun. In a dramatic moment, local fruit seller Ahmed al Ahmed tackled one of the gunmen, disarming him and preventing further casualties. His courageous act was praised nationwide, with fundraising efforts for him surpassing A$200,000.

The attackers’ residence in Bonnyrigg and an Airbnb property in Campsie were raided by heavily armed police. Authorities revealed that the duo had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group, and IS flags were recovered from their vehicle at the scene. A senior police official said authorities had taken an interest in Naveed Akram six years ago after foiling plans for an IS terrorist attack, though there was no indication of a planned assault at Bondi Beach.

Victims of the Bondi Beach shooting ranged in age from 10 to 87, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and an organizer of the Hanukkah event. At least 42 other attendees were hospitalized, with several in critical condition. Survivors and community leaders expressed grief but pledged unity in the face of such a senseless tragedy.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Bondi Beach to lay flowers and offer support to the Jewish community, calling the attack “an act of pure evil, antisemitism, and terrorism on our shores.” Albanese vowed that the government would take all necessary measures to combat hatred and antisemitism in the country. World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemned the attack and extended solidarity to Australia.

This mass shooting at Bondi Beach is the most severe antisemitic attack in Australia in decades, following a series of incidents targeting Jewish institutions since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza. The tragic event has sparked global outrage and renewed calls for vigilance against extremism and acts of hatred.

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