MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Following the tragic shooting incident at a Sydney Hanukkah celebration in December, where 15 people were killed and three police officers were injured, New South Wales Police announced plans to enhance their response capabilities. This announcement was made during a testimony at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, which is currently examining the rise of antisemitism in Australia, especially in light of the attack at Bondi Beach scheduled for December 14.
New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson identified a significant firepower imbalance, emphasizing the limitations faced by police officers during the Hanukkah attack. At the time, the police presence consisted of only four officers armed with 9 mm Glock pistols—firearms that lack stopping power at longer distances—while the assailants, father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, were armed with two shotguns and a hunting rifle. Hudson stated, “On Dec. 14, our police officers were placed at significant risk being in a gunfight armed with 9 mm Glocks against long arms.”
In light of this tragedy, the police have been working to establish an Armed Response Command that will be equipped with semiautomatic rifles, aimed at addressing potential threats more effectively. Additionally, a priority-resourced operation aimed at tackling antisemitic crimes and retaliatory incidents against Muslim targets has also been reinstated. Hudson noted that previously, rifles were mainly restricted to two specialized paramilitary squads within the police force.
The violent incident commenced when Sajid and Naveed Akram allegedly opened fire on hundreds of celebration attendees at a beachside park. The shooting occurred when there was only a minimal police presence, which underscored the urgent need for the establishment of a more potent response unit. Hudson revealed that within five minutes of the attack, 11 police officers arrived on the scene, but not before three of them sustained injuries amid the chaos. The situation was quickly contained when police shot Sajid Akram dead and took Naveed Akram into custody shortly after.
Additionally, following the massacre, police revived Operation Shelter, which had been initially established to manage heightened tensions in the community after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Hudson indicated that Operation Shelter had temporarily existed “in name only” before the Bondi incident and was swiftly reinstated as an active policing resource to prevent further violence, bolstering the presence of officers on the streets.
At its peak, Operation Shelter mobilized up to 200 officers daily, with the authority to bring in personnel from other duties as necessary. Hudson asserted that the revised operational framework would remain in effect until the fully equipped armed response squad is operational, which is expected to occur within the next 18 months to two years.
The unfolding developments within law enforcement reflect a broader response to a rising tide of violence and the importance of community safety in the wake of such devastating events. As Australia grapples with issues of social cohesion and security, police efforts aim to address these concerns proactively in the face of evolving threats.
