At least 12 people have died, including a British-born rabbi, after a mass shooting during a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
A total of 29 people were injured, including two police officers, in the attack, which targeted a Jewish celebration called Chanukah by the Sea, which marks the start of Hanukkah, an eight-day festival of light.
Among the victims was London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, a father of five.
Mr Schlanger, 41, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family members of Kinloss synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism”.
Australian authorities say one gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested but is in critical condition.
One man, since identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, can be seen wrestling a gun from a suspect, before pointing the rifle at the shooter as the gunman backed away.
His cousin Mustafa told 7News Australia the 43-year-old fruit shop owner had sustained two bullet wounds, one in his arm and one in his hand, but is recovering well in hospital.
“Still he is in hospital and we don’t know exactly what is going on, the doctor says he is OK,” he said.
“We hope he is OK, he is a hero, 100% he is a hero.
“He has two shots, one in his arm and one in his hand, he has had to have an operation.”
Police said they had found what they believe to be several improvised explosive devices in a car nearby, and bomb disposal units are working to make them safe.
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that the deceased gunman had been known to the authorities, but there had been no “specific threat”.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 6:45pm local time, after reports of gunfire.
In a message on Sunday afternoon, the King said he was “appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack” at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
“My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach,” his statement said.
“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community.
“We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy.
“In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia – and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival – will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales said their thoughts are with every Australian following the mass shooting, in a personal message signed by William and Kate.
“Our thoughts are with every Australian today following the terrible attack at Bondi Beach.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and stand with the Jewish community in grief.
“We are also thinking about the bravery of the emergency responders, particularly the two injured officers. W & C”
“They could hear the shots firing, and firing”: Helen Keenan reports from Bondi Beach, where witnesses told her of their desperation to flee from the gunshots.
The attacks follows a wave of antisemitic attacks in Australia.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” the state’s premier, Chris Minns, said.
“Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight,” he said.
“I can only imagine the pain that they’re feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday.
“It’s a responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australia’s Jewish community and help them get through this incredibly difficult period.”
Dionne Taylor, Communications Manager at the Australia Israel Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), told ITV News the Jewish community has been experiencing increasing hatred.
“We’ve had so many attacks on the Jewish community. We’ve had graffiti, to arson attacks, to public marches, to fire bombings of schools and synagogues, hate speech. This violence has gone unchecked.
“We’ve warned the government that it’s only going to be a matter of time before someone gets murdered. And tonight people got murdered.”
“It just feels like our whole backyard has been changed now, and not just for the Jewish community, it’s for the Australian community.
“Bondi Beach is iconic and people from all walks of life hang out at Bondi Beach on any given Sunday. This is a really peak period. It’s our summer break.
“Our hearts just go out to the families and just pray for their recovery.”
Footage of two men wearing black and firing what appeared to be shotguns from a footbridge was posted online.
Footage shows a man tackling one of the gunmen and wresting his shotgun away, before pointing it at the shooter.
Minn praised the bravery of civilians at the scene at a press conference.
“Tonight saw extraordinary acts of personal courage and bravery from individuals in our community.
“I think it’s worth remembering that in all of this evil, in all of this sadness, there are still wonderful, brave Australians that are prepared to risk their lives to help a complete stranger.”
Videos that appear to be taken later than show two men lying on their stomachs while being arrested by police.
In footage of officers arresting the assailants, many large ammunition cartridges, which appear to be shotgun shells, could be seen strewn across the ground surrounding them.
Officers were also seen performing CPR on one man, while another appeared to be in handcuffs beside him.
Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, told a press conference in Canberra: This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith.
“An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated on this attack on our way of life.
“There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it.
“Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith at this dark moment for our nation.
“Our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sent his condolences following a fatal shooting.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday morning, he said: “Deeply distressing news from Australia.
“The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach.
“I’m being kept updated on the developing situation.”
Australia was rocked by aspate of antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne during the southern hemisphere winter. Synagogues and cars were torched, businesses and homes graffitied and Jews attacked in those cities, where 85% of the nation’s Jewish population live.
Albanese blamed Iran for two of the attacks and cut diplomatic ties to Tehran. The authorities did not make such claims about Sunday’s massacre.
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