Bondi Beach, one of Australia's most recognisable landmarks, became the scene of a deadly terrorist attack on Dec. 14, 2025, when gunmen opened fire on a public Hanukkah celebration organised by Sydney's Jewish community. Authorities said at least 15 people were killed and dozens injured during the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights, transforming a long-standing cultural gathering into one of the worst antisemitic attacks in Australian history.
The assault occurred during an annual public menorah lighting held in Bondi Park and nearby Archer Park, just behind the beachfront. The event, known locally as "Chanukah by the Sea," has for decades drawn hundreds of families to mark the holiday in an open, public setting. Its visibility, officials said, was central to why the attackers chose the location.
Bondi sits within the Waverley area, widely regarded as a core centre of Jewish life in Sydney. The surrounding suburbs host synagogues, Jewish schools and community institutions, and generations of Jewish families have lived in the area. Alongside Melbourne, Sydney has one of the largest Jewish populations in Australia, making Bondi a natural focal point for communal events.
For years, Chabad of Bondi has organised the Hanukkah gathering as an expression of faith and openness. Public menorah lighting is a traditional part of the holiday, symbolising resilience and the public display of religious identity. The event typically includes music, children's activities and food, and has often received logistical support from local authorities.
Police said the attack was carried out by a father and son, identified as Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram, who fired from a pedestrian footbridge overlooking Archer Park. Investigators said the shooters used legally obtained firearms and that improvised explosive devices were also discovered and safely disarmed at the scene.
Victims included children, religious leaders and a Holocaust survivor, according to officials. The attackers were later killed by police. Authorities described the incident as a deliberate, targeted terrorist attack aimed at the Jewish community, citing the timing on the first night of Hanukkah and the symbolic location.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the violence, calling it "pure evil," and said the attack struck "not just a community, but the country itself." His remarks underscored the national shock that followed the incident, as vigils were held across Australia and overseas.
The attack occurred amid heightened concern over antisemitism in Australia following the Israel-Hamas war. Jewish community leaders had previously warned of rising hostility, while security agencies had raised the national terror threat level in response to global tensions.
In the aftermath, police increased patrols around synagogues, schools and Jewish institutions nationwide. Security experts said the Bondi attack highlighted the vulnerability of highly visible public gatherings and the challenge authorities face in protecting open cultural celebrations without undermining their purpose.
