Australian Jews Mourn and Demand Action After Bondi Terror Attack

A horrific attack on Bondi Beach has left the Australian Jewish community in mourning following a shooting during a Hanukkah event on Sunday, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 40 others. The incident, characterized by authorities as the deadliest terror attack in Australia’s history, has ignited both grief and anger among local residents and Jewish Australians alike.

The normally bustling Bondi Beach is now eerily quiet, with the sun shining down on an empty surf. Forensic investigators can be seen combing the crime scene, where beach chairs and children’s belongings remain scattered, a poignant reminder of the chaos that unfolded. A wall of floral tributes has begun to form along the footpath as locals gather to express their shock and sorrow.

One witness, 22-year-old Jess, expressed a deep sense of fear that has accompanied her throughout her life as a Jewish person. “This felt inevitable,” she stated. Similarly, Yvonne Harber reflected on the loss of innocence, saying, “I think we will be forever changed, a bit like Port Arthur,” referencing the 1996 Port Arthur massacre that led to significant gun reform in Australia.

The search for victims continues, with the community still locating the missing. Among those killed was prominent local Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who had welcomed his fifth child just a month prior. Rabbi Mendel Kastel, Schlanger’s brother-in-law, shared, “The family broke. They are falling apart.” Tragically, the youngest victim identified is 10-year-old Matilda, whose death has been described as a loss of innocence by community leaders.

Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, voiced the deep sense of numbness and distress felt by many. He recounted the loss of a Holocaust survivor who had been standing next to his wife at the event. Ryvchin emphasized the rise in antisemitism in Australia since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, noting that his organization had warned authorities about the increase in antisemitic incidents but was not taken seriously.

In response to the attack, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, and Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon have faced tough questions regarding the failure to prevent such violence. Recently, Australia has seen an uptick in antisemitic offenses, including arson attacks on synagogues and vandalism of Jewish properties.

Albanese condemned the attack as “an act of pure evil” and outlined measures his government has taken to combat antisemitism, including establishing a federal police taskforce to investigate hate crimes and amending laws to impose mandatory jail terms for hate symbols and terror offenses. Nonetheless, some community members, like Nadine Saachs, expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response, suggesting that earlier action could have prevented the tragedy.

As the mourning continued, hospital workers remained focused on treating the injured, including Syrian Ahmed al Ahmed, who was shot multiple times while trying to disarm one of the attackers. The assailants have been identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24, both of whom lived in the area and are believed to have planned the assault from a rented property.

Community leaders have urged for unity amid rising tensions, emphasizing that Islamophobia has also increased since the October events. A gathering of leaders from various states discussed the possibility of implementing stricter gun control measures reminiscent of the reforms enacted after the Port Arthur massacre.

In the wake of this tragedy, an outpouring of support has emerged. Australia’s blood banks reported dangerously low stocks, prompting hundreds to respond to calls for donations. Many individuals, like Jim, stood in long queues, some waiting up to six hours, to contribute. He expressed a desire to help, stating, “They cannot justify [the attack] by saying there are dead children over there.” Another young man, Alex Gilders, expressed hope that the city’s response would provide comfort to the Jewish community, declaring, “Australia has your back.”

As the Bondi community begins to heal, the ripple effects of this tragedy will be felt across the nation, prompting calls for reflection and action against rising hate.