In his address to the country after the barbaric mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as a “devastating terror attack” and expressed solidarity
with the Jewish community in the country.
Two gunmen shot dead at least 11 people on Sunday at a Jewish event being held at Bondi Beach, attended by 2,000 people. Police fatally shot one gunman, and the second was arrested and identified as the 24-year-old Naveed Akram.
Akram, along with other gunman, opened fire on a crowd of nearly 1,000–2,000 attendees at the Hanukkah event on Sunday. As per local media reports, over 50 shots were fired as panic erupted across the beachfront, forcing people to flee or shelter indoors.
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“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation,” he said in his address. “There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation.”
Albanese said the authorities were working to identify everyone involved in the attack. “Let me be clear, we will eradicate it amidst this vile act of violence and hate, and there will emerge a moment of national unity where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith,” he stated.
“The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone’s worst nightmare.” Albanese also hailed the “heroes” who rushed towards danger to help.
‘Jewish Community Deliberately Targeted’
New South Wales State Premier Chris Minns said the deadly shooting deliberately targeted Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah. “Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight,” he said.
He also praised the man who was seen in videos wrestling a gun from one of the shooters, calling him a “genuine hero” who saved many lives.
“It’s the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen, a man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless others,” Minns told the press conference.
Police declared the shooting a “terrorist incident” and said that an improvised explosive device was found in a car at Bondi, linked to the deceased perpetrator. A rescue and bomb disposal unit has been deployed to the scene, said NSWP Commissioner Mal Lanyon. More than 1,000 people had gathered at the event.
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Albanese urged Australians to hold onto the “true character” of Australia, saying the country would never submit to “division, violence or hatred.” In a message to the Jewish community, he said, “your fellow Australians stand with you tonight in condemning this act of terror.”
Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area as the entire zone remains under lockdown and an active security operation continues. In a statement posted on X, NSW Police said: “The police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area… Anyone at the scene should take shelter.”
(with agency inputs)
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