Australian PM Booed as Thousands Gather At Bondi Beach One Week After Chanukah Terror Massacre

Thousands of people assembled Sunday evening at Sydney’s Bondi Beach to mark one week since the deadly Islamic terror attack on a Jewish festival that left 15 people murdered and dozens wounded; the worst attack on Jews since the October 7 massacre.

The commemoration opened with a minute of silence for the victims. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the vigil but was met with audible boos from sections of the crowd, reflecting growing anger and frustration within Australia’s Jewish community and among political opponents over what they view as insufficient action to protect Jews amid rising antisemitism.

A source familiar with the situation told Belaaz that murdered shliach Rabbi Eli Schlanger’s father-in-law, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, was opposed to Albanese attending the vigil, stating that his son-in-law would not have wanted him to come in light of his actions, including the recognition of a Palestinian state.

In the days since the massacre, Albanese has faced mounting criticism for failing to deter escalating threats against Jewish institutions and events. On Sunday, he announced a formal review of Australia’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies in response to the attack.

Across the country, Australians lit candles at 6:47 p.m. to mark one week since the shooting, while flags were lowered to half-mast. On Friday, the federal government and the New South Wales government jointly declared Sunday a “Day of Reflection to honour the victims of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.”

The terrorists were a father and son, who had claimed allegiance to ISIS. Naveed Akram, 24, was charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act, His father Sajid Akram, 50, died at the scene of the attack.

Albanese said he would coordinate with state and territory leaders, as well as representatives of the Jewish community, to organize a national memorial. “For a National Day of Mourning to be held in the new year. This will allow families the time and space to lay their loved ones to rest, and to support those still recovering,” he said.

Among the victims were two Chabad shluchim, a 10-year-old girl Hy’d, the youngest killed in the attack, and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Hy’d. As of Sunday, 13 of those injured remained hospitalized.

Heavy security was visible throughout the vigil, with armed personnel patrolling the beachfront area as mourners gathered. David Ossip, head of the deputies committee representing the Jewish community in New South Wales, said he supported government plans to appoint a commission to investigate the attack.