Sydney, Australia – December 17, 2025 – In a horrifying act of antisemitic terrorism, two gunmen opened fire on a joyous Hanukkah gathering at Archer Park, near Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and wounding dozens more. The attack, carried out by a father-son duo inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS), has sent shockwaves across Australia and the world, prompting calls for stricter gun laws and widespread condemnation.
The incident occurred on the evening of December 14 during the Chabad-organized “Chanukah by the Sea” event, which drew around 1,000 attendees celebrating the first night of the Jewish holiday. Authorities identified the perpetrators as Sajid Akram, a 50-year-old Indian national who immigrated to Australia in 1998, and his 24-year-old Australian-born son, Naveed Akram.
The pair, who had pledged allegiance to ISIS, fired a total of 103 rounds using legally owned firearms—a Beretta BRX1 straight-pull rifle and two 12-gauge Stoeger M3000 M3K shotguns—targeting the crowd from a footbridge overlooking the park.
The rampage began when Russian-Jewish couple Boris and Sofia Gurman spotted an ISIS flag on the attackers’ vehicle along Campbell Parade and attempted to intervene. Boris Gurman wrestled a gun from Sajid Akram, with Sofia joining the struggle, but both were fatally shot during the confrontation.
As chaos erupted, the gunmen continued their assault, killing prominent Chabad rabbis Eli Schlanger and Yaakov Levitan, community member Reuven Morrison—who charged at the shooters hurling bricks before being killed—and 87-year-old Ukrainian-born Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, who heroically shielded his wife from gunfire. Among the youngest victims was 10-year-old Matilda, whose death has particularly galvanized public grief.
Amid the terror, acts of bravery emerged. Syrian-born bystander Ahmed al-Ahmed, unarmed, tackled Sajid Akram from behind, disarming him and turning the weapon on the attacker. Other bystanders, including one who kicked a dropped weapon away, and lifeguards from the nearby Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club, who provided first aid under fire, helped mitigate further casualties.
New South Wales Police responded swiftly, arriving by 18:47 AEDT and engaging the gunmen. One officer used a tree for cover to neutralize the threat. Sajid Akram was killed at the scene, while Naveed Akram was critically injured and taken into custody.
The death toll stands at 15 victims, ranging in age from 10 to 87, with an additional 40 people injured, including four children and two police officers. Naveed Akram, who awoke from a coma two days after the attack, has been charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder, one count of committing a terrorist act, and 40 counts of attempted murder.
Investigators found two ISIS flags, a homemade bomb, and improvised explosive devices in the attackers’ vehicle. The pair had recently traveled to the Philippines from November 1 to 28, possibly for training amid an ongoing ISIS-linked insurgency there. Australian intelligence had monitored Naveed since 2019 due to radical associations but did not consider him an immediate threat.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as a “deliberate attack on Jewish people,” emphasizing community unity in the face of hatred. “This is a horrific act of violence against innocent people celebrating their faith,” Albanese stated during a press conference. He announced immediate gun reform measures, including restrictions on firearm ownership to Australian citizens, limits on the number of guns per person, and an accelerated national firearms register. The National Cabinet unanimously supported these changes, with the New South Wales Parliament recalled to pass reforms before Christmas.
The attack has heightened concerns over rising antisemitism in Australia, following a surge in incidents since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. Jewish events nationwide have been canceled, and security has been increased at synagogues and community centers. Muslim leaders have denounced the violence, refusing funeral rites for the gunmen and affirming solidarity with the Jewish community.
International reactions poured in swiftly. U.S. President Donald Trump called it a “barbaric antisemitic terror attack,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised hero Ahmed al-Ahmed as embodying true Islam and criticized Australian policies for fostering antisemitism—a claim Albanese rejected. Condolences also came from leaders including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who increased security at Jewish sites in his country.
Funerals for the victims began on December 16, with thousands gathering to mourn. A massive blood donation drive saw over 50,000 Australians respond, overwhelming centers with O-negative supplies. In a show of resilience, some community members vowed to light Hanukkah candles at the attack site on the holiday’s final night.
As investigations continue, including raids on properties linked to the Akrams, authorities urge vigilance against extremism. The Bondi Beach tragedy, now referred to by some mourners as Australia’s “own October 7,” underscores the persistent threat of hate-fueled violence in an increasingly divided world.
