Bondi Beach Community Unites in Remembrance After Tragic Attack

Sun Dec 21 2025 16:41:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Australia observes a minute's silence to honor the victims of a recent mass shooting at Bondi Beach, which killed 15 individuals, including children and prominent community members.

A poignant memorial service was held at Bondi Beach to remember the victims of a tragic shooting that occurred a week ago, resulting in 15 deaths. As mourners gathered in emotional silence, Prime Minister Albanese faced backlash from the Jewish community over rising antisemitism, while calls for accountability and government action intensified.

Mourners in Australia have fallen silent in honour of the victims of the Bondi Beach attack.

The memorial was part of a national day of reflection to mark a week since the shooting in which two gunmen opened fire on an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hannukah.

A 10-year-old girl, a British-born rabbi, and a Holocaust survivor were among the 15 people killed during the attack.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed when he arrived at the memorial event - an expression of anger by Australia's Jewish community against his government after a rise of antisemitic attacks over the past few months.

As the sun set over Sydney on Sunday evening, a minute's silence was observed at 18:47 (07:47 GMT) - exactly one week since the first reports of gunfire at the famous beach.

There was heavy security at the memorial event. Some cordoned-off areas were guarded by armed riot squad officers, while a police patrol boat was visible off the coast of Bondi Beach.

A large crowd - many wearing kippas or draped in Australian flags - gathered to listen to speeches after the silence.

Bee balloons floated in the wind in tribute to the youngest victim, Matilda, and the crowd later sang Waltzing Matilda, the song for which the 10-year-old was named.

The event concluded with the lighting of the menorah, a poignant moment for the crowd that had been unable to do so during last week's festival.

Across the country, homes were lit with candles in a nationwide gesture of solidarity.

The reception for Prime Minister Albanese at the memorial starkly contrasted with that received by Chris Minns, the Premier of New South Wales, who was praised by the community for his leadership and acknowledgment of government failures.

Calls for a Royal Commission were made to investigate the circumstances leading to the attack, reflecting the community's desire for accountability and action in combating rising antisemitism.

Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder in connection with the incident. In the aftermath, Prime Minister Albanese has called for measures to address hate speech and a review of police and national intelligence agencies.