On Sunday evening, thousands of mourners convened at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach under stringent police security to commemorate the tragic events that unfolded a week prior, where two gunmen targeted a Jewish festival, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals. In the wake of this horrific incident, Australian governments have been compelled to take decisive steps towards combating antisemitism and reinforcing already stringent national gun regulations.
Among the prominent figures in attendance were Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, former Prime Ministers John Howard and Scott Morrison, and Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who represents King Charles III of Australia. The commemoration drew a crowd of over 10,000 people, a testament to the community's solidarity in the face of tragedy. David Ossip, President of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, addressed the crowd, stating, "This has to be the nadir of antisemitism in our country. This has to be the moment when light starts to eclipse the darkness."
Notably, Albanese faced discontent from the crowd when Ossip acknowledged his presence. In contrast, opposition leader Sussan Ley received cheers for her remarks indicating a conservative government would reverse her party's decision to recognize a Palestinian state, a contentious issue intertwined with the recent violence.
In response to the attack on the Hannukah celebration, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Albanese's stance on a Palestinian state, arguing that it exacerbates antisemitism. Netanyahu has consistently linked the global surge in antisemitism to the criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza following the Hamas attack in 2023.
During the commemoration, images of the victims, ranging in age from 10 to 87, were projected for all to see. The crowd sang Waltzing Matilda in memory of the youngest victim, whose Ukrainian parents chose an Australian name for their daughter. Ahmed al Ahmed, a widely celebrated hero of the massacre, sent a heartfelt message from his hospital bed. In a viral video, the Syrian-born immigrant was seen bravely disarming one of the gunmen during the attack. Albanese praised al Ahmed, stating he "represents the best of our country." His father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, was honored by being invited to light a candle on the menorah during the final night of Hannukah.
Across Australia, citizens united with Sydney's Jewish community by lighting candles and observing a moment of silence at 6:47 p.m., the exact time when the massacre occurred. Major television and radio networks paused broadcasts in a show of respect. The federal and New South Wales state governments declared Sunday a national Day of Reflection, marking Australia's most devastating mass shooting since the Tasmania tragedy in 1996.
In light of the attack, Albanese announced a review of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, particularly in relation to the influence of the Islamic State group. On the morning of the commemoration, Indigenous leaders conducted a traditional smoking ceremony at the Bondi Pavilion, where a makeshift memorial has formed, adorned with flowers and messages of condolence. The memorial is scheduled for clearing on Monday.
Governor-General Mostyn accepted an invitation from the National Council of Jewish Women, inviting women of all faiths to lay flowers at the memorial. Hundreds of women dressed in white participated in this gesture of solidarity. Mostyn later conveyed a message from the British monarch expressing deep sadness over the antisemitic attack during the Hannukah celebration.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, security measures were significantly heightened at Bondi Beach, with police officers armed with rifles present. Criticism arose regarding the initial police response, as the first responders were only equipped with Glock pistols, which lacked the firepower of the assailants' shotguns and rifles. Two police officers were critically injured during the attack.
Flags were flown at half-staff on the Sydney Harbor Bridge and various government buildings, which were illuminated in yellow as a sign of solidarity with the Jewish community. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, lamented that the victims' families felt "tragically, unforgivably let down" by government failures to address the rise in antisemitism in Australia, particularly since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023.
Following the attack, federal and state leaders convened for an emergency meeting to discuss the tightening of national gun laws, including restrictions on the number of firearms an individual can own. The gunman, Sajid Akram, legally possessed six firearms, including two shotguns and two bolt-action rifles used in the Bondi attack. The New South Wales state parliament is set to debate new draft laws concerning hate speech and gun control measures on Monday.