Bondi Beach Terrorists Linked to Islamic State Kill 15 at Chanukah Celebration

What was meant to be a joyous gathering of more than 1,000 people to celebrate the first night of Chanukah turned into a nightmare in Bondi Beach, Sydney, as two terrorists armed with firearms and explosives opened fire, killing 15 and injuring dozens more. The attack, one of Australia’s deadliest terror incidents, has now been linked to Islamic State.

The gunmen, 24-year-old Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, targeted the “Chanukah by the Sea” event at Archer Park around 6:47 p.m. local time. Families, children, Holocaust survivors, and community leaders were gathered when the shooting began, unleashing chaos in what should have been a celebration of light and unity.

According to Australia’s ABC News, Naveed Akram had been known to national intelligence services since 2019 for his connections to a Sydney-based Islamic State cell. Despite being investigated for six months, he was deemed to pose no ongoing threat. His father, who legally owned multiple firearms, used at least some of these weapons during the massacre.

The tragedy struck at the heart of Australia’s Jewish community. Among the murdered was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a beloved figure who led the Chabad community in Bondi and recently became a father for the fifth time. Others killed include a 10-year-old girl named Matilda, Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, and Reuven Morrison, who split his time between Sydney and Melbourne. Dan Elkayam, a young French citizen, and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, secretary of Sydney's Beth Din, were also among the victims.

Perhaps most heroically, Tibor Weitzen, another Holocaust survivor, died shielding his wife from gunfire. His sacrifice is a testament to the indomitable strength of the Jewish people in the face of evil.

In total, more than 40 people were injured, including six in critical condition and two police officers with gunshot wounds. An improvised explosive device was also found in a nearby car, indicating the attack could have been even more devastating.

The fallout has ignited political tension. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the massacre as “an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism.” He also dismissed criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had previously warned that Australian policy was emboldening antisemitism. In a letter sent months earlier, Netanyahu cautioned Albanese that “your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. It rewards Hamas terrorism. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews.”

Albanese pushed back, insisting now was a moment for national unity, but growing calls are emerging for his government to take a firmer stance against rising antisemitism and domestic extremism.

In response to the massacre, New South Wales Police launched “Operation Shelter,” deploying hundreds of officers to protect places of worship. Community leaders, meanwhile, are calling for increased vigilance and action against radical Islamist networks operating inside Australia.

This terror attack has reverberated far beyond Bondi. It is a chilling reminder that antisemitism, left unchecked, can swiftly turn lethal. The presence of a known Islamic State affiliate at a mass shooting targeting Jews in broad daylight should be a wake-up call not just for Australia, but for democracies everywhere.

As the Jewish people mourn yet another tragedy, we remember the victims not just for how they died, but for how they lived in faith, in family, and in celebration of the miracle of Chanukah. Their memories must inspire a renewed commitment to justice, to Jewish safety, and to truth.

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