On Dec. 14, hours before the first night of Hanukkah, 15 people were killed at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. The attack occurred during a holiday celebration titled “Chanukah by the Sea 2025.” At approximately 6:47 p.m., two individuals opened fire on a crowd of families gathered for the event.
Police identified the shooters as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Naveed Akram was charged with 15 counts of murder after waking up from a coma in a Sydney hospital, where he has been since the police shot him and his father at Bondi. Sajid Akram died at the scene.
According to npr.org, Naveed Akram “was also charged with 40 counts of causing harm with intent to murder in relation to the wounded and with placing an explosive near a building with intent to cause harm.”
Victims of the shooting ranged from a 10-year-old to an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. The survivor, Alex Kleytman, attended this event with his children and grandchildren as a part of their annual Hanukkah celebration.
“It’s really saddening to see that this is what society has come to, going after each other just because of different beliefs. We only have so many Holocaust survivors left and it’s just another story lost,” said WHS senior Lia Barton.
The timing and location of the attack had a deep impact on the Jewish community worldwide. Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates resilience and light in the face of persecution, making the violent attack especially disturbing. Events like this one are meant to bring the Jewish community together so they can celebrate their religion openly and safely. The shooting shattered that sense of security for those at Bondi Beach.
WHS senior Kayla Edelson said, “Hearing about antisemitic attacks all around the world makes me really nervous for my future as a Jewish person.”
According to authorities, the shooting is believed to be a terrorist attack connected to the Islamic State. Many Australians have called upon their government to provide safety and support for Jewish individuals, 85 percent of whom live in Sydney and Melbourne, where antisemetic attacks are most prominent.
Jewish organizations and leaders across Australia have expressed their outrage, calling for more protections. As a result, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to increase gun control regulations.
Boris Gurman wrestled with one of the gunmen, according to bbc.com, taking the weapon off of the shooter before they both fell to the ground. Sofia Gurman stepped in as well, attempting to protect others from the gunmen’s attack. The couple had recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary, but were shot and killed despite their heroic efforts.
Ahmed al Ahmed was another onlooker who turned into an upstander, tackling one of the gunmen and taking his shotgun, according to cbsnews.com. Al Ahmed’s actions were caught on video and posted, and he has been hailed as a hero, receiving over one million dollars in donations and earning praise from world leaders.
Social Studies Teacher Kimberly Leegan reflected on the shooting. “You can disagree with the politics of a nation and still, that doesn’t mean that you should be hating people who are Israeli or Jewish,” said Leegan. “Talking about that is really the most important thing, raising awareness about it.”
The entirety of Australia is left mourning as memorials and funerals continue to take place in Sydney and beyond. Despite the horrors of the shooting, the world has come together to honor the victims and advocate for change.