Anthony Albanese appeared shocked by his reception as he arrived at the event today to mourn the 15 people killed by two gunmen. One of the crowd shouted 'you've got blood on your hands' at the memorial. More than 10,000 people attended.
14:57, 21 Dec 2025Updated 07:33, 22 Dec 2025
Australia's Prime Minister was booed and jeered at the scene of the Bondi Beach attack. Anthony Albanese was visibly shocked by his reception as he arrived at the event today to mourn the 15 people killed by two gunmen. At least one of the crowd shouted 'you've got blood on your hands' at the memorial. More than 10,000 people packed the beach as a minute of silence was observed at 18:47. It marked exactly a week since the shooting began. Albanese was steered towards a VIP seating area and his wife Jodie Haydon grasped his arm in support.
The Jewish community in Australia has repeatedly claimed that more could have been done to prevent the attack. They accused Albanese of neglecting Israel when he moved to recognise the state of Palestine earlier this year. He has denied the accusation. New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip told the crowds: “This has to be the nadir of antisemitism in our country. This has to be the moment when light starts to eclipse the darkness.” The boos rang out when Ossip acknowledged the presence of Albanese. Opposition leader Sussan Ley, who vowed to reverse the decision to recognise a Palestinian state, was cheered.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the move had poured "fuel on the anti semitic fire.” Images of the victims, aged 10 to 87, were projected at the crowds and “Waltzing Matilda” sung in honour of the youngest victim. Matilda's Ukrainian parents, who asked for their surname not to be used, gave their Australian-born daughter what they described as the most Australian name they knew.
British born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, whose wife gave birth to their fifth child just two months ago, grew up in Temple, North London, and had become known as the "Bondi Rabbi".
Bondi hero Ahmed al Ahmed, shot after wrestling a weapon from one of the gunmen, sent a message, saying: "The Lord is close to the broken-hearted. Today I stand with you, my brothers and sisters." His father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, was invited to light a candle on the Jewish candelabrum known as a menorah on the final night of the festival of Hanukkah. Shooting suspect Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of causing harm with intent to murder in relation to those wounded.
His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene. Thirteen of the wounded remain in hospital.
Albanese has announced a review into the police and national intelligence agencies after the attack.
The Government has also announced a gun buyback scheme, the largest since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, which left 35 people dead and prompted world-leading gun control measures.
Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured when the two gunmen, believed to have been motivated by "Islamic State ideology", opened fire at the country's most iconic beach.
Mr Albanese said there were 4m firearms in Australia, more than at the time of the Port Arthur massacre. He added in a speech last week: "We know that one of these terrorists held a firearm licence and had six guns, in spite of living in the middle of Sydney.
"There's no reason why someone in that situation needed that many guns."