MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — On Sunday at 6:47 p.m. local time (7:47 GMT), Australians are set to light candles to unify in remembrance of the 15 individuals who lost their lives in last week’s tragic attack during a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach in Sydney. This moment marks Australia’s most devastating mass shooting since the 1996 Tasmania massacre, which claimed 35 lives.
The federal government and New South Wales state authorities have officially designated Sunday as a national Day of Reflection, commemorating the incident, which authorities have reported was inspired by the Islamic State group. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also announced a comprehensive review of the nation’s federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, evaluating their effectiveness in safeguarding citizens in light of the recent attack.
In a show of solidarity, Indigenous leaders gathered for a smoking ceremony on Sunday morning at the Bondi Pavilion, where a makeshift memorial has emerged over the past week, filled with flowers and heartfelt tributes. This memorial, aimed at honoring the victims, is scheduled to be dismantled on Monday.
Rabbi Levi Wolff expressed his anticipation that thousands would assemble at Bondi Beach later that day, despite heightened security measures. He emphasized that the attack transcends targeting solely the Jewish community, as it strikes at the core Australian values of unity and respect. He stated, "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 Australian values."
Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who serves as the representative of King Charles III in Australia, participated in the memorial festivities by laying flowers at the site alongside hundreds of women and girls wearing white. Mostyn denounced the shooting as “unspeakably ghastly acts of terror” and supported a community call for acts of kindness, termed mitzvahs, as a response to the tragedy, reinforcing that “everyone in this country belongs.”
The attack occurred last Sunday when two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration, coinciding with the first day of an eight-day Jewish holiday. Current reports indicate that 13 of the wounded individuals remain hospitalized, including the alleged gunman, Naveed Akram, 24, who has been charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder after being shot by police at the scene. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed by police during the response.
In response to the tragedy, police have increased security measures around Bondi Beach, deploying armed officers and addressing criticisms regarding the initial response, wherein police were equipped only with Glock pistols, which were less effective against the assailants' weapons. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon clarified that the amplified police presence was not a reaction to a raised security alert but aimed chiefly at ensuring public safety.
As a further demonstration of solidarity, flags across Sydney are being flown at half-staff, and government buildings will be illuminated in yellow that evening in honor of the Jewish community. Additionally, television and radio networks will observe a minute of silence at 6:47 p.m. during the candle lighting ceremony.
Rabbi Eli Feldman has invited the broader Australian community to join the Jewish community at Bondi to mark the final day of Hanukkah, as the eighth candle will be lit to symbolize hope. Prime Minister Albanese's office will conduct a thorough review of whether federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies possessed the necessary powers and resources to effectively protect the populace from threats.
Despite previous investigations into the younger Akram's associates by Australia’s domestic spy agency in 2016, officials have communicated that they did not deem him a threat at the time. The co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, stated that the families of the victims feel deeply let down by the government's handling of rising antisemitism in Australia, particularly following recent conflicts.
As communities cope with the aftermath of this tragedy, Ryvchin remarked on the bewilderment experienced by victims’ families and the prevailing sentiments of anger and betrayal in the Jewish community. There is a strong demand for accountability and meaningful change to prevent future violence.
