Australia - Mass shooting at Bondi Beach Hanukkah Celebration - 14 Dec 2025

[Serononin]

I am shocked and saddened by this horrific news as Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is getting underway. How tragic that this annual joyous celebration of freedom has been marred by such despicable violence!

Manchester on Yom Kippur, and now Bondi Beach on the first night of Hanukkah... I'm not Jewish myself, but I can only imagine it must have hit the wider Jewish community particularly hard to have had two of their sacred days violated in such horrific ways in the space of just a few months

 

[dotr]

The Insanely Fascinating History of Hanukkah Light

It is Hanukkah’s perennial irony that the so-called “Festival of Lights” is literally outshone by the Christmas lights that blanket trees and yards for the duration of the holiday and beyond.

www.hartman.org.il

Calgary's Best Christmas Light Displays

There's no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by checking out Calgary's dazzling, sparkling Christmas lights.

wherecalgary.ca

rbbm.

Bondi Beach: Father and son who killed 15 people, as PM pushes for tougher gun laws

Local media name the gunmen as Sajid Akram, 50, who died at the scene, and Naveed Akram, 24, who's in a critical condition. They reportedly had links to the Islamic State group.

www.bbc.com

''Rabbi Lewis tells BBC News that people should “spread light” by doing charitable acts in his cousin’s name.

“I know how he would have been reacting and it was something he said recently," he says.

"Every human being on earth has a positive way to contribute to making the world a better place, and we just have to keep spreading light. The world is a positive place and we need to show that and I know Eli would be saying that.”

''Following today's attack on Sydney, the Met Police acknowledges that Jewish communities in London will be feeling "heightened concern about safety" - particularly as they come together to celebrate Hannukah.

Police say there is "no information to suggest any link" between today's attack and the threat level in London but confirm in a statement that they are "stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community".

 

[Spectrix]

This is a very sad day for Australia.

The event in Bondi today is the most significant shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

At the time of the Port Arthur massacre, Australia's Prime Minister was John Howard. He had been in office for only a few short weeks.

John Howard's response was to immediately move to reform gun laws in the country .

The measures included

• A ban on automatic and many semi-automatic firearms
• Mandatory licensing and uniform rules across states
• A large national firearm buyback program to remove banned and unregistered guns from circulation

These reforms are widely credited with dramatically reducing gun violence and stopping mass shootings in Australia for many years afterward.

Our gun laws are such that this is an extremely rare occurrence.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

What a horrific tragedy.
Watching the long video of the two shooters on the bridge, my thoughts were how long they stood on that bridge firing with no concerns.

 

[Arkay]

Oh my gosh guys, I went to bed thinking about Brown University and woke up to messages from my cousin about this slaughter of Jews at Bondi.

I’m way behind and need coffee first, then I’ll catch up.

I’m stunned and not stunned. All my life I’ve yearned to go to Australia, but when I retired it was Covid and then my parents in Florida needing care so I couldn’t go.

But also, I’ve read of SO MANY incidents against Jews there, but NOTHING approaching this level.

I thank those of you with all my heart who are supportive of us Jews. Even as a lifelong New Yorker, with millions of Jews, we have been targets here.

But Australia isn’t a gun country. Clearly a terrorist attack. I know I’m way behind and I’ll catch up, but I appreciate the support here

 

[dotr]

Perp looks like he is in his 40's not just 24 yrs old, wonder if he had a girlfriend or not? speculation, imo.

Dec 14, 2025 #skynews #sydney #australia
New footage shows two gunmen shooting at Jews attending at Hanukkah festival on Bondi Beach.A younger man, identified as Naveed Akram, can be seen shooting from a bridge, while a second older gunman walks towards stalls and opens fire.The men appear to have several weapons.

Access Restricted

''Social media posts from an Islamic centre in Australia show Akram completed religious studies in 2022, raising questions about possible radicalisation and extremist networks operating in the country. Adam Ismail, the head of the Al-Murad Islamic Institute, where Akram studied, declined to comment when contacted by The Telegraph.
The attack is being treated as a terrorist incident and is one of the deadliest acts of anti-Semitic violence in Australian history.''

''Israeli authorities said they were examining responsibility for the attack amid concerns it may have been orchestrated by a foreign state or militant organisations. The shooting occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Australia and Iran, following a series of suspected Iranian-directed attacks on Jewish targets in the country.

Australian officials have not publicly confirmed any foreign involvement. However, Israeli officials cited Iran as a primary suspect if a state actor were involved, while also examining possible links to groups including Hezbollah, Hamas and Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, according to Israeli media reports.''

 

[dotr]

Wondering if the perp in dark pants is wearing a safety vest, or if he just has a small head on a large body? speculation, imo.

The two suspects seen on a bridge overlooking Bondi Beach

Access Restricted

''Lewis’s Continental Kitchen, a kosher cafe in Bondi, was targeted in an arson attack in October last year. An Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne’s southeast, was also attacked in December. No injuries were reported.

Mr Albanese said it was likely the Iranian government had directed further attacks on Jewish targets.''

“These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” he said. “They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community.”

The expulsion of ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi marked the most severe diplomatic crisis between Australia and Iran since the two countries established relations in 1968. Australia has also ordered embassy staff to leave Iran and advised citizens to depart if possible.
An Israeli citizen is among those killed in the Bondi Beach attack, Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed.'

 

[StarryStarryNight]

Bondi Beach terror survivor describes how cops ‘froze’ during 20-minute shooting rampage: ‘I don’t understand why’

The eyewitness said he was with his family when the two suspects began firing at the crowd of worshippers from a nearby bridge.

nypost.com

This is what I was talking about from watching the video on the bridge.
Despite police sirens sounding in the background, nobody was engaging these killers for a very long time.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Wondering if the perp in dark pants is wearing a safety vest, or if he just has a small head on a large body? speculation, imo.
View attachment 630594
The two suspects seen on a bridge overlooking Bondi Beach

Access Restricted

''Lewis’s Continental Kitchen, a kosher cafe in Bondi, was targeted in an arson attack in October last year. An Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne’s southeast, was also attacked in December. No injuries were reported.

Mr Albanese said it was likely the Iranian government had directed further attacks on Jewish targets.''

“These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” he said. “They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community.”

The expulsion of ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi marked the most severe diplomatic crisis between Australia and Iran since the two countries established relations in 1968. Australia has also ordered embassy staff to leave Iran and advised citizens to depart if possible.
An Israeli citizen is among those killed in the Bondi Beach attack, Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed.'

Observation clear. We are looking at his backside though, right???? But the overall appearance/perspective of the one in dark pants is very odd...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Bondi Beach shooting live updates: 11 dead after shooter targeted Australian Jewish community, officials say

At least 11 people are dead after a mass shooting at Australia’s famous Bondi Beach on Sunday.

www.nbcnews.com

What we know​

• At least 11 people were killed in a shooting at Australia’s famous Bondi Beach, and 29 people were taken to the hospital.
• Officials declared the shooting a terrorist event and said the attack was “designed to target” Jewish people. An event to mark the first day of Hanukkah was taking place at Bondi Beach on Sunday.
• A man believed to be one of the shooters has been killed, New South Wales police said. The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition.
• Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack an “act of evil antisemitism.”
• Bondi Beach is one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, with over 2 million tourists visiting in 2024...

This NBC News report is being updated continuously.

 

[Warwick1991]

The shooter in the dark pants may be wearing a vest with armor plates. I don't know if they're available or legal in Australia, but you can buy cloth vests on the US that have compartments for armored plates. They can be heavy and awkward, and are used by SWAT teams.

Possibly it might also be a compartmented vest with explosive devices instead of armor plates.

 

[Arkay]

It’s snowing in NYC today, first snow of the season, and at 4:30 PM Eastern time, I am going to an outdoors ceremonial lighting of the menorah.

I have to hide this from my family as they would be terrified for me to go, but go I shall.

I feel supported by our lovely Websleuths family. No one would be a member of Websleuths if they weren’t compassionate; it is what drives us to feel for victims everywhere.

My grandma, long dead, had two cousins who survived the Holocaust and went to live in Australia. They eventually moved here to NYC and were the first people I knew with the tattooed numbers on their arms.

I’ve been to four continents but Australia has always been the dream. Yet I’ve read about so many anti-Semitic attacks there since October 7, 2023 that I am hesitant. I can’t go now anyway due to parents’ health, but I feel reassured by the posts of our lovely Aussie members.

JMO and experience.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

^ Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

My husband and I will be there with you in spirit.

 

[Arkay]

^ Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

My husband and I will be there with you in spirit.

Thank you,@BetteDavisEyes

I will not hide.

Much

 

[Spectrix]

I’ve been to four continents but Australia has always been the dream. Yet I’ve read about so many anti-Semitic attacks there since October 7, 2023 that I am hesitant. I can’t go now anyway due to parents’ health, but I feel reassured by the posts of our lovely Aussie members.

Please don't think that some poor behaviour by a tiny handful of radicals reflects any sort of animosity towards Jews by Australian people. We welcome those from all religious backgrounds, and we will welcome you when you're ready to travel.

 

[Arkay]

Please don't think that some poor behaviour by a tiny handful of radicals reflects any sort of animosity towards Jews by Australian people. We welcome those from all religious backgrounds, and we will welcome you when you're ready to travel.

@Spectrix

Thank you so much. It is people like you who give us hope.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

Thank you,@BetteDavisEyes

I will not hide.

Much

We’ve got you Arkay.
I’ll walk this walk with you.
Hate cannot win.
Hugs to you!

 

[Arkay]

We’ve got you Arkay.
I’ll walk this walk with you.
Hate cannot win.
Hugs to you!

I’m gonna cry, thank you!!!!!!

 

[Sillybilly]

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[Sillybilly]

Thread is open again.

Blatant generalizations about certain religious, racial or ethnic groups are not welcome at Websleuths. Those are the very types of views that turn people against others.

Ahmed al Ahmed is a wonderful example of "Not all red-headed boys are bad".