Australians unite to honour Bondi mass shooting attack at Jewish festival

People have gathered at Sydney's Bondi beach to commemorate the 15 victims of last Sunday's mass shooting during a Jewish festival. Observing a minute of silence at 18h47 (8h47 CET), the time when the attack began.

Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese wrote in multiple posts on social media X that he stands with the Jewish community, in one he said "The Australian community stands with Jewish Australians at this dark time."

Meanwhile, Sunday 21 December has been made a national Day of Reflection by the federal and New South Wales state governements.

Last Sunday, two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration. Thirteen of the wounded remain in Sydney hospitals, authorities said.

Indigenous leaders held a traditional smoking ceremony Sunday morning at Bondi Pavilion, where a memorial has grown over the past week.

Rabbi Levi Wolff expected thousands to gather later Sunday to honour the victims and support the Jewish community.

“Australians appreciate that this is an attack that wasn’t just against the Jewish people — we’re an easy target — but this is an attack on the Australian values and they will come here and they will stand together with us shoulder-to-shoulder as they have over the last week to tell the people in this country that there is no tolerance for hate. Violence has no place in our beautiful country,” Wolff said.

Australian PM announces intelligence review

Prime Minister Albanese announced a review of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to examine whether they had the right powers and processes to keep Australians safe, with a report due by April 2026.

The alleged gunmen are Naveed Akram, 24, who was shot by police and remains in hospital, he has been charged with 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of causing harm with intent to murder. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene.

Australia’s main domestic spy agency had investigated Akram’s associates in 2016 but did not conclude he posed a threat.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin said victims’ families felt “tragically, unforgivably let down” by government failures to address rising antisemitism. Ryvchin added “There’s a lot of anger in the community now as well. I think we’re cycling through the various emotions, the various stages, and there’s a real feeling of having been let down and betrayed. And the community wants answers and we want change,”.

Increased police at Sunday's gathering

Police increased security around Bondi on Sunday, including officers armed with rifles. Two officers were critically wounded. Criticisms arose that first responders last week were armed only with Glock pistols, which lacked the range of the assailants’ weapons.

“Our priority is ensuring that everyone can come together to honor the victims and support one another without fear,” said NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon.