15 Killed in Antisemitic Shooting on Sydney’s Bondi Beach

15 people, including a child, were killed in an antisemitic shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach – shooting in Australia decades.

The Shooting

At about 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, emergency services were called to Bondi Beach after shots were fired during a Hanukkah by the Sea event. Video footage showed people in bathing suits running from the water while two men in black shirts fired long‑range guns from a footbridge.

One gunman, a 50‑year‑old man, was fatally shot by police. The other shooter, his 24‑year‑old son, was wounded and is being treated at a hospital, said Mal Lanyon, New South Wales police commissioner. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but Lanyon added authorities had no indication of a planned attack.

A dramatic clip on Australian television captured a man tackling and disarming one gunman, then pointing the weapon at him and setting it on the ground. The man was later identified by relatives to Australian media as fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, whom Premier Chris Minns called a “genuine hero.”

Victims and Injuries

Fifteen people were killed, including a child. Victims were aged between 10 and 87 years. At least 38 others were injured in the attack, according to police.

Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish movement, identified one of the dead as Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and an event organizer. Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of an Israeli citizen.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic. “What I saw today was pure evil, just an absolute bloodbath. Bodies strewn everywhere,” said lawyer Arsen Ostrovsky, who had moved to Australia two weeks earlier. “I never thought would be possible here in Australia,” he added.

Melbourne resident Lachlan Moran, 32, said he was waiting for his family when he heard the shots. “I sprinted as quickly as I could,” he told the AP. He heard shooting for about five minutes and described people dropping possessions and running.

Reactions

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incident “an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location, Bondi Beach, that is associated with joy, associated with families gathering, associated with celebrations.” He added, “It is forever tarnished by what has occurred.”

King Charles III and Queen Camilla said they were “appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack.” United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres posted on X that he was horrified and that his “heart is with the Jewish community worldwide.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack on X, stating, “The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration. Antisemitism has no place in this world.”

Police pledged a “thorough” investigation and said authorities were not looking for anyone else in connection with the massacre.

Security agencies in cities worldwide, including London, announced they would step up protection at Jewish sites.

Background on Antisemitic Attacks

Australia, with a population of 28 million and about 117,000 Jews, has seen a surge in antisemitic incidents. According to Special Envoy Jillian Segal, incidents rose more than threefold in the year after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Last year, the country experienced antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, including synagogue arson and vandalism. In August, Albanese blamed Iran for two of the attacks and cut diplomatic ties to Tehran.

Pastor Matt Graham, who was conducting a service at Bondi Anglican Church during the attack, said antisemitism has been brewing in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. “I’m surrounded by antisemitic graffiti constantly,” he told the ABC.

Israel urged the Australian government to address crimes targeting Jews. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Australian leaders months earlier about the dangers of failing to act against antisemitism. He claimed Australia’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state “pours fuel on the antisemitic fire,” and said, “Your government did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia … and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today.”

Netanyahu’s office released safety recommendations Monday for Israelis traveling abroad, advising them to avoid large gatherings without security, especially events at synagogues and Hanukkah celebrations.

Key Takeaways

• Fifteen people, including a child, were killed in an antisemitic shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach.
• The incident is the deadliest mass‑shooting in Australia in almost three decades.
• Prime Minister Albanese and international leaders condemned the attack as antisemitic terrorism.

The tragedy underscores the rising tide of antisemitic incidents in Australia and the need for continued vigilance and protection of Jewish communities.