December 21, 2025, 11:40December 21, 2025, 11:40
Thousands of people on Bondi Beach remembered the 15 people who died in the terrorist attack on a Jewish festival on the famous Sydney beach a week ago. The evening (local time) event of the Jewish community in the state of New South Wales began with a minute’s silence, followed by speeches and, among other things, Jewish chants. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also among the participants, as the Australian broadcaster ABC reported. The applause also included boos against Albanese.
Australia’s entire population was called upon to light a candle for the victims and stand for a minute’s silence at 6:47 p.m. (10:47 CET) – the time the first shots were fired on Bondi Beach. Sunday was the last day of the Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah. The flags in Australia flew at half-mast.
Two assassins – a father and his son – shot at a celebrating crowd a week ago during the Jewish festival. The father was shot by police and the son was taken to hospital with life-threatening gunshot wounds. Armed security forces were reportedly patrolling the beach for Sunday’s event at Bondi Beach.
Demand for a commission of inquiry
David Ossip, a leading representative of the Jewish community in New South Wales, spoke in a speech expressing support for government plans to set up a commission of experts to investigate the attack. Such a commission is necessary “to find out how this catastrophe happened”. After the attack, Australia’s head of government admitted failures in the fight against anti-Semitism. He also announced stricter laws against hate preachers and hate speech. In addition, the number of firearms in the country is to be drastically reduced through buybacks. (sda/dpa)