Rising Antisemitism in Australia
Hero Bystander Disarmed Gunman
Amid the carnage, 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed emerged as an unlikely hero. Video footage captured Ahmed crouching behind a parked car before rushing one of the gunmen from behind, wrestling the rifle away after a brief struggle.
“Ahmed is a real-life hero,” declared New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who visited Ahmed in the hospital. “His incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk.”
During the struggle, Ahmed was shot twice by the second gunman, once in his arm and once in his hand. The father of two girls underwent surgery Sunday night and is recovering at St George Hospital. A GoFundMe campaign established for Ahmed has raised over 1.4 million Australian dollars (approximately $930,000), with billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman contributing nearly $100,000.
Ahmed’s parents, who recently arrived from Syria several months ago, told media their son had been in Australia since 2006. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Ahmed during a government meeting, saying, “We saw an action of a brave man, turns out a Muslim brave man, and I salute him, that stopped one of these terrorists from killing innocent Jews.”
Rising Antisemitism in Australia
The attack comes against a backdrop of surging antisemitism across Australia. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry documented 2,062 anti-Jewish incidents between October 2023 and September 2024, more than quadruple the 495 incidents recorded the previous year. The 2024 figure represents almost five times the average annual number before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Data from Community Security Group NSW shows 1,045 antisemitic incidents recorded in 2024, a 26% increase from 2023’s 830 incidents and the highest number ever recorded by the organization.
Previous Attacks on Jewish Sites
In December 2024, an Orthodox synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed, destroying holy books and injuring one witness. Prime Minister Albanese stated that the attack was an act of terrorism. In August 2024, Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador after ASIO concluded that Tehran had directed arson attacks on a kosher food company in Sydney and Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue.
Dionne Taylor, communications manager for the Australia Israel Jewish Affairs Council, told CNN, “We are not surprised by last night’s attack. We are shocked, but we are not surprised. Every attack that has happened up until last night was the warning sign that last night was inevitable.”
International Condemnation
Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to the archbishop of Sydney expressing deep sadness over the loss of “members of the Jewish community gathered for a Hanukkah celebration.” The pontiff called for an end to antisemitic violence, writing on social media, “Let us #PrayTogether for all those who suffer due to war and violence. Enough with this antisemitic violence! Let us eliminate hatred from our hearts.”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said he had warned Albanese three months ago that Australia’s policies were “pouring oil on the fire of antisemitism,” referring to a letter he sent in August following Canberra’s announcement that it would recognize Palestinian statehood.
Jewish leaders from the world’s seven largest diaspora communities had convened in Sydney earlier this month to call for action against antisemitism in Australia. Robert Gregory, CEO of the Australian Jewish Association, told CNN that grief has turned to anger toward the government, which he said has missed opportunities to tackle rising antisemitic sentiment. “The government appointed a commissioner on antisemitism that’s made some recommendations which have not been adopted yet,” Gregory said.
Investigation Continues
Police conducted raids at multiple properties linked to the suspects, including the family home in Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s far western suburbs and a short-term rental in Campsie where the pair had been staying prior to the attack. Two firearms and several suitcases were seized from the Campsie property.
Naveed Akram’s mother, Verena, expressed disbelief at her son’s involvement. “He doesn’t have a firearm. He doesn’t even go out. He doesn’t mix around with friends. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t go to bad places,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald. “He goes to work, he comes home, he goes to exercise, and that’s it.”
According to reports, Naveed had been working as a bricklayer until about two months ago when the company he worked for became insolvent. A former colleague described him as a strange but hard worker who had an interest in hunting and spoke about shooting rabbits and other game around Crookwell in New South Wales’ southern tablelands.
Community Mourns
Vigils and memorial services have been held across Sydney, with crowds gathering at Bondi Beach to pay tribute to the victims. Flowers and candles have been placed at the Bondi Pavilion in memory of those killed. The Australian and Aboriginal flags flew at half-staff on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Parliament House in Canberra also lowered its flag.
Prime Minister Albanese described Bondi Beach as a place “associated with joy, associated with families gathering, associated with celebrations.” He added, “It is forever tarnished by what has occurred.”
Bondi Beach, located about 4 miles east of Sydney’s city center, is one of Australia’s most iconic locations and popular with surfers and tourists. During summer, it can attract up to 50,000 visitors a day.
Commissioner Lanyon stated that police “know very little” about the suspects’ backgrounds and that investigations are ongoing. If Naveed Akram survives his injuries, he is expected to face multiple charges including terrorism offenses and murder.
The attack has sent shockwaves through Australia’s Jewish community of approximately 117,000 people in a country of 27 million. As Uriya Shavit, who oversees an annual report on global antisemitism from Tel Aviv University, stated: “This was really one of the safest communities for Jews in history, characterized by religious tolerance and coexistence, and now Australian Jews are seriously asking whether they have a future in the country.”
