On Sunday, a father‑son duo opened fire on Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people, including a child. The attack unfolded in the late afternoon as crowds gathered for the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, turning a festive gathering into a scene of terror.
The 50‑year‑old gunman was shot dead by police, while his 24‑year‑old son was wounded and is receiving treatment at a hospital, Mal Lanyon, New South Wales police commissioner, said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but Lanyon added that authorities had no indication of a planned attack.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as “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,” and said the beach was “forever tarnished by what has occurred.”
The celebration had included face painting and a petting zoo. Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish outreach 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, and French President Emmanuel Macron announced a French citizen, Dan Elkayam, was among those killed.
Victims’ ages ranged from 10 to 87, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told reporters, and at least 42 others were being treated at hospitals, several critically. None of the victims have been publicly named by Australian authorities, and the gunmen have not been officially named either. Local media began reporting names on Monday, including Larisa Kleytman’s husband, Alexander Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor, according to The Australian.
The massacre followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled Australia over the past year, though authorities did not link the incidents. Antisemitic assaults, vandalism, threats and intimidation surged more than threefold during the year after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel’s war in Gaza, Special Envoy Jillian Segal reported in July. Last year, Sydney and Melbourne were hit by synagogue arsons, vehicle torches, graffiti and assaults on Jews.
Police are conducting a thorough investigation. Lanyon said authorities were not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting. Two improvised explosive devices were found at the scene; bomb disposal experts rendered them safe. Lanyon described the devices as “rudimentary” and would have been detonated by a wick rather than a phone or electronic trigger.
The 50‑year‑old gunman was found to have six firearms when law enforcement raided the property where he’d been staying, raising questions about how he acquired them. Chris Minns said there would “almost certainly” be gun‑law changes after the massacre, citing Australia’s history of tightening gun controls after the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy. It is the deadliest shooting in Australia in almost three decades.
Arsen Ostrovsky, a lawyer who had moved from Israel two weeks earlier to work for a Jewish advocacy group, was grazed in the head by a bullet. “What I saw today was pure evil, just an absolute bloodbath. Bodies strewn everywhere,” he emailed the Associated Press. He also added, “I never thought would be possible here in Australia.” Lachlan Moran, 32, from Melbourne, said he was waiting for family when he heard shots and sprinted for safety.
Global leaders expressed shock and grief. King Charles III said he and Queen Camilla 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.”
McGuirk reported from Melbourne, Australia, and Graham‑McLay from Wellington, New Zealand. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Mustakim Hasnath in London contributed to this report.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
At newsofaustin.com, Morgan reports on everything from severe weather alerts and traffic updates to city council decisions, crime reports, and the issues shaping daily life in Austin. Known for reliable fact-checking and a strong commitment to public-interest journalism, Morgan brings readers the information they need to stay informed and engaged.
When not tracking a developing story, Morgan enjoys exploring Austin’s neighborhoods, attending local events, and connecting with residents to share the voices and experiences that define the community.
