Bondi Beach terrorist attack: Usual suspects kill 15 during Hanukkah celebrations by Jews

In a brazen act of violence that has shaken Australia and the rest of the world, a father and son duo unleashed terror on Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach during a joyful Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people and wounding more than 40 others in what authorities have swiftly declared a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community. The incident, unfolding on the evening of December 14, the first night of Hanukkah, has prompted urgent calls for visa denials to Pakistanis, gun law reforms and highlighted a disturbing rise in anti-Semitism across Australia.

The attack occurred at the Bondi Pavilion, where hundreds had gathered for “Hanukkah by the Sea, an annual event organised by the local Jewish community to mark the Festival of Lights with candlelighting, music, and family activities. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as gunfire erupted around 7:30 PM local time, sending families scrambling for cover amid the crashing waves and holiday lights. “It felt like the shots went on forever,” one survivor told reporters, recounting how the crowd’s screams drowned out the ocean. Within minutes, the idyllic beachfront turned into a battlefield, with blood staining the sand and emergency sirens piercing the night.

New South Wales (NSW) Police responded with remarkable speed, drawing lessons from the 2024 Bondi Junction stabbing incident. Off-duty officers from as far as Newcastle rushed to the scene, joining on-site forces to neutralise the threat. One gunman was fatally shot by police, while the other was wounded and taken into custody after a heroic bystander disarmed him at great personal risk. Authorities later discovered a vehicle on nearby Campbell Parade containing two rudimentary improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and additional firearms, escalating fears of a broader plot. By midnight, the area was locked down, with bomb disposal units clearing the site and declaring no ongoing threat.

The attackers

The suspects have been identified as Sajid Akram, a 50-year-old father from Pakistan, and his 24-year-old Australian-born son, Naveed Akram. Sajid Akram, who immigrated to Australia in 1998 on a student visa and later obtained a partner visa, held a valid firearms license for recreational hunting and owned six registered weapons. He had no prior criminal record, but police raided a short-term rental in Campsie and a former family home in Bonnyrigg as part of the investigation.  

Naveed Akram, now in critical condition in the hospital, had briefly come to the attention of law enforcement in 2019 due to associations with unspecified individuals, but was not deemed an active threat at the time.

Officials from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) confirmed one of the shooters was known to them but insisted there were no indications of imminent danger before the attack. Motives remain under intense scrutiny, with no confirmed ties to extremist groups disclosed yet, though the targeting of a Jewish event points to anti-Semitic ideology.

The victims

The victims, ranging in age from 10 to 87, represent a heartbreaking cross-section of Sydney’s diverse community, united in celebration but forever linked in tragedy. Among them was 10-year-old Matilda, a bright and joyful child who attended Harmony Russian School and was remembered by her teacher as someone who “brought light to everyone around her”. Her family, devastated, shared their grief online, with her aunt Lina pleading for privacy amid the loss.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, a London-born assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and father of five, was described as “vivacious and full of life”, dedicated to good deeds and community service. He had recently celebrated the birth of his youngest son.

Holocaust survivor Alexander Kleytman, who fled Ukraine and endured Siberian hardships during World War II, died protecting his wife, Larisa, also a survivor.

Other victims included Peter ‘Marzo’ Meagher, a retired NSW Police detective sergeant and freelance photographer volunteering at the event, who was hailed as a rugby club legend.

Dan Elkayam, a French soccer player with Rockdale Ilinden, was set to join another club next season and was remembered for his talent and popularity.

Reuven Morrison, a businessman who emigrated from the Soviet Union in the 1970s, had built a life of philanthropy after escaping persecution, believing Australia to be a safe haven for Jews.

An unnamed Israeli citizen was among the dead, too, as confirmed by Israel’s foreign ministry. Two police officers were seriously injured and underwent surgery, while a child was hospitalised but survived.

Reactions

In the aftermath, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation, calling the Bondi Beach terrorist attack an “act of pure evil” and “antisemitic terrorism” that strikes at the heart of Australian values. “An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian,” he declared, pledging full resources for the investigation and support for victims’ families, including funding for funerals and travel for overseas relatives.

NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed this, urging calm and announcing the closure of private schools the following day while praising the heroism of first responders. ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess maintained the national threat level at “probable”, with no evidence of follow-up attacks.

The incident has ignited a national debate on gun control, with Albanese vowing to discuss stricter measures at the next cabinet meeting, including limits on firearm ownership and regular license reviews to detect radicalisation. Minns committed to legislative changes to restrict access to "horrifying weapons" without practical uses, referencing Australia’s post-1996 Port Arthur reforms as a foundation.

Community response has been overwhelming: blood donation centres crashed under demand, with queues stretching for hours as Australians rallied against hate.

Internationally, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the “antisemitic terrorist attack” in talks with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, affirming no tolerance for such hatred. Memorials have sprung up along the beach, with flowers and candles symbolising unity. Local MP Allegra Spender called it a “wake-up call” for addressing Jewish community fears amid a spike in anti-Semitic incidents.