Bondi Beach Hanukkah Shooting: 15 Dead in Jewish Festival Attack/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach left 15 dead, including a rabbi, a 10-year-old girl, and a Holocaust survivor. Authorities say the attackers were a father and son, with ties to extremist ideology, sparking national outrage and a call for tougher gun laws. Prime Minister Albanese labeled it an antisemitic terrorist attack and pledged immediate legislative action.
Quick Read: Key Points
- 15 people killed in a shooting at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah celebrations
- Suspects were a 50-year-old father (killed) and his 24-year-old son (hospitalized in a coma)
- Victims include children, a rabbi, and a Holocaust survivor
- Australia’s PM Albanese labels it an “antisemitic terrorist act”
- Shooter legally owned 6 guns; government now pushing for stricter laws
- Attack is Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly 30 years
- Hero fruit vendor Ahmed al Ahmed disarmed one gunman and survived
- Surge in antisemitism cited as backdrop to the massacre
- Jewish leaders criticize government inaction prior to attack
- Federal and state leaders to rewrite national gun control laws urgently
Full Story: Australia Reels After Mass Shooting at Jewish Festival in Bondi
SYDNEY (AP) – In a devastating act of violence that has rocked the nation, 15 people were killed and dozens more injured during a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most iconic locations. The shooting, described by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as an antisemitic act of terrorism, marks the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly 30 years.
What Happened
On Sunday evening, during the opening day of Hanukkah, two men—a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son—opened fire on crowds gathered for the “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration. The elder suspect was killed by police at the scene; his son is in a coma after being shot and is under police custody.
The event featured food stalls, family activities, and a petting zoo, drawing hundreds of attendees. Among the dead were a 10-year-old girl, Rabbi Eli Schlanger (an organizer of the event), and Holocaust survivor Alexander Kleytman.
Suspects and Investigation
The older shooter migrated to Australia in 1998 on a student visa and held a valid gun license, owning six firearms legally. His son, Australian-born, had previously been monitored by Australian intelligence in 2019 over concerns of ties to an Islamic State-linked cell in Sydney, though no immediate threat had been confirmed at the time.
Police have not yet released the names of the suspects. Authorities are also investigating whether the younger man was radicalized online or influenced by antisemitic extremist ideology.
Hero in the Crowd
Amid the chaos, a bystander named Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian fruit vendor and father of two, tackled and disarmed one of the shooters, an act captured on video and praised nationwide. He was shot in the shoulder by the second gunman but is recovering after surgery.
“Ahmed is a real-life hero,” said New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who visited him in the hospital.
Rise in Antisemitic Crimes
Australia has experienced a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Government data shows a threefold rise in assaults, vandalism, and threats toward Jewish communities in Sydney and Melbourne.
The massacre has renewed criticism of the Albanese government’s handling of antisemitism. Jewish leaders say repeated warnings were ignored, leading to public outrage and accusations of failure to protect vulnerable communities.
Gun Law Reforms in Motion
Australia is now preparing a sweeping gun law overhaul, just as it did following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Albanese is proposing to:
- Limit the number of guns per licensed owner
- Restrict gun ownership to Australian citizens only
- Use criminal intelligence to assess eligibility for firearm licenses
- Tighten background checks and reassess existing licenses regularly
State and federal leaders unanimously agreed to fast-track changes during an emergency cabinet meeting Monday. The reforms would target not only illegal weapons but legally obtained firearms used in mass shootings.
“This was an act of terror, and we are responding with decisive action,” Albanese said.
Global Reaction
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences and warned that Australia’s recent recognition of a Palestinian state risked “pouring fuel on the antisemitic fire.” Israel confirmed that one of the victims was an Israeli citizen. French President Emmanuel Macron also confirmed a French national, Dan Elkayam, was among the dead.
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