A joyful Hanukkah gathering turned into tragedy on Sunday when gunfire broke out at a Jewish festival near Bondi Beach. Two men opened fire without warning, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more. Police have identified them as father-son duo Sajid and Naveed Akram, and have declared the incident a terror attack.
The violence shocked Australia and the world, targeting a peaceful community celebrating the start of the eight-day Jewish festival. Authorities are investigating motives and connections as they search for answers.
Who was Sajid Akram?
Sajid Akram, 50, is identified by authorities as one of the shooters involved in the Bondi Beach massacre. Police killed him at the scene during the incident. He lived in Sydney’s south-west suburb and was known locally as a fruit seller. Reports say he legally owned multiple firearms and brought several registered guns to the scene.
Police found at least six long-arm firearms linked to the attack. The presence of so many weapons has sparked debate about licensing and gun control.
Who is Naveed Akram?
Naveed Akram, 24, is the son of Sajid Akram and the second suspect in the shooting. He was critically wounded and taken into custody. According to her mother, Verena, he is an unemployed bricklayer who recently lost his job and had studied at local institutes in Sydney.
Police are investigating his background and possible motives. Officials continue to question him in hospital as part of the ongoing investigation. He was a student at Al-Murad Institute of Heckenberg, which taught Arabic and the Quran.
What is Antisemitism?
Antisemitism means hatred, prejudice, or discrimination against Jewish people. It can target individuals, communities, religious practices, or Jewish identity as a whole. It appears in many forms. It includes verbal abuse, online hate, vandalism of synagogues, threats, and violent attacks. In extreme cases, it leads to terror incidents aimed at Jewish people because of their faith.
Governments and human rights groups worldwide recognise antisemitism as a serious form of hate crime. Many countries have laws to combat it and protect Jewish communities. Authorities in Australia are treating the Bondi Beach shooting as an antisemitic terror attack because it targeted a Jewish religious gathering during Hanukkah.
Deadly Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach
The attack began around 6:47 p.m. on December 14 as a Hanukkah event called “Chanukah by the Sea” was underway. Both gunmen fired from an elevated pedestrian footbridge into the crowd of families and visitors.
One gunman was shot dead by police at the scene. The second was shot and taken to a hospital under police guard. Explosive devices were found nearby and safely neutralised by bomb squads. Leaders have called it a “terrorist attack” and heightened security around religious and community sites across the region.
Bondi Beach Shooting: Attack on Jewish Community
The victims included people of all ages, from 10 to 87 years old. Among them were Israelis, Holocaust survivors, and community leaders. Authorities are treating the incident as both a terror and hate crime targeting Sydney’s Jewish community during their festival.
Australian PM Anthony Albanese condemned the attack and promised enhanced protections for religious groups nationwide.
Bondi Beach Shooting: Pakistani Link & Misinformation
Some early reports on social media suggested the attackers had links to Pakistan. Certain outlets claimed Naveed Akram was originally from Lahore and had studied in Pakistan.
However, official sources clarify that such claims are unverified or false, and there is no confirmed link between the shooters and Pakistani citizenship at this stage. Islamabad has also rejected false claims attempting to tie the incident to Pakistan.
Authorities continue to focus instead on Australian investigations and local backgrounds as they piece together motives and potential extremist influences.
What is Hanukkah Festival?
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival, also known as the Festival of Lights. It starts the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago. According to Jewish tradition, a small amount of sacred oil that should have lasted one day burned for eight days. This event is remembered as a miracle.
Families celebrate Hanukkah by lighting a menorah, adding one candle each night. They also gather for prayers, songs, and festive meals. Many families exchange gifts and play traditional games like dreidel.
Public Hanukkah events are held in many cities around the world. These gatherings are meant to celebrate faith, resilience, and community. The Bondi Beach event was one such peaceful celebration before it was violently targeted.
