A horrific mass shooting and terrorist attack took place on 14 December 2025 at Archer Park next to Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during a Hanukkah festival, resulting in one of the deadliest acts of violence in the nation’s modern history.
The assault occurred as thousands of people were gathered for a “Chanukah by the Sea” event sponsored by the Chabad of Bondi—an annual celebration marking the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
What Happened
- At approximately 6:47 p.m. local time, two gunmen opened fire at the crowd, reportedly targeting Jewish worshippers and attendees at the festival.
- The assailants were identified by police as a father (50) and his son (24), both of whom fired multiple shots indiscriminately into the celebratory gathering.
- One shooter was shot and killed by responding police officers; the other was critically wounded and taken into custody.
- Authorities later discovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the suspects’ vehicle, which authorities rendered safe at the scene.
Casualties and Injuries
- At least 16 people were killed, including the elder gunman, and dozens more were wounded, with many in critical condition.
- The victims ranged widely in age, from young children to the elderly, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the attack.
- Among those killed were Jewish community figures, Holocaust survivors, and international visitors.
Official Response and Classification
Australian authorities, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, described the shooting as a deliberate antisemitic terrorist act targeting Jewish Australians on the first night of Hanukkah.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared the incident a terrorist incident, and government leaders convened national security meetings to coordinate response efforts and heighten protections for other vulnerable sites.
Heroic Acts and Community Reaction
Amid the chaos, a bystander—later identified as Ahmed al-Ahmed—was praised for tackling one of the shooters and disarming him, possibly preventing even more deaths before police intervention.
International reactions have poured in, with global leaders condemning the attack, expressing condolences, and calling for unity against antisemitism.
Broader Context
This attack is the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, a notorious incident that previously shaped the country’s strict gun control framework.
Prior to this event, antisemitic incidents—including vandalism, harassment, and arson against Jewish community sites—had increased significantly over the previous two years, particularly following regional tensions associated with the ongoing war in Gaza.
Experts and community leaders have emphasized that unchecked hate speech and extremist rhetoric can escalate into violence, highlighting the need for robust measures to counter antisemitism and protect vulnerable communities.
References & Further Reading
BBC – Bondi Beach shooting coverage
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3wkey5p33o
Wikipedia – 2025 Bondi Beach shooting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Bondi_Beach_shooting
AP News – Father and son attackers kill at least 15 at Sydney Hanukkah event
https://apnews.com/article/31f711f09f677d0f88091ece25f651c1
The Guardian – Bondi Beach terror coverage and national response
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/14/police-advise-people-to-take-shelter-following-reports-of-active-shooter-at-bondi-beach
Time – What the massacre means for global fight against Jew-hatred
https://time.com/7340774/bondi-beach-antisemitism-australia/
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