Antisemitic Terror Attack Shocks Australia at Hanukkah Celebration

New Delhi, December 16, 2025: A peaceful Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was shattered by a horrific act of antisemitic terrorism, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 people, including a child, and wounding over 40 others. The attack, which targeted a Jewish community event on the first night of the eight-day holiday, has sent shockwaves across Australia and the world.

The Attack: What Happened?

The violence erupted in the late afternoon on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the popular “Chanukah by the Sea” event, which was attended by hundreds of families and members of Sydney’s tight-knit Jewish community.

• The Perpetrators: Two gunmen—identified by authorities as a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son—opened fire on the crowd from a footbridge near the beach.
• Casualties: At least 15 civilians were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a local Rabbi, and a Holocaust survivor. Dozens more were injured, including two police officers. One of the gunmen was killed by police, while the son was arrested after being wounded.
• The Hero: Amidst the chaos, an unarmed bystander, identified as fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, was captured on video tackling and disarming one of the shooters, an act praised by officials as “heroic” and life-saving. Mr. al Ahmed was shot and is recovering in hospital.
• Investigation: Police and the Joint Counter Terrorism Team have officially declared the shooting a terrorist incident, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it an “act of evil antisemitism.” Authorities also found rudimentary improvised explosive devices in a vehicle linked to the deceased gunman.

A Targeted Act of Hate

The clear targeting of a public Jewish holiday event confirms the antisemitic nature of the attack. It is the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades, a rare event in a country with famously strict gun control laws enacted after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

The shooting comes amid a alarming surge in antisemitism in Australia over the past year. Jewish community leaders have repeatedly expressed concern, noting that incidents of anti-Jewish hatred—including vandalism, arson, and threats—have reached historically high levels.

The Aftermath and National Response

The Australian government has pledged a strong response, condemning the attack as an assault on the nation’s core values.

• Government Action: Prime Minister Albanese convened the National Security Committee and has already proposed tougher new gun laws in the wake of the tragedy. He emphasized that an attack on Jewish Australians is “an attack on every Australian.”
• Victims and Community: The Jewish community is in mourning, with vigils and services being held across the country. The loss has been deeply felt, especially since the event was designed to be a joyous, family-friendly celebration.
• Security Concerns: Security has been immediately heightened at synagogues and Jewish institutions across Australia.

The investigation is ongoing, seeking to understand the full motive of the attackers and whether they had any wider connections. This devastating act of terror serves as a stark reminder of the global threat of antisemitism and the need for vigilance against hatred and extremism.