Bondi terror attack live: light in the darkness and menorahs lit around the nation as communities gather to mourn and pray | Australia news
important events
Mookhey said there were 320 police officers at places of worship this morning:
[The Jewish community] They want security, they want security, they want support and they want help.
That’s why we’ve stepped up operations, and that’s why there are 320 police officers in places of worship this morning.
What the government has made very clear is that we are very, very proud of our Jewish community. But we will not allow Jewish life in this city to disappear.
Official public memorial will be held, NSW treasurer says
NSW treasurer, Daniel MookheyHe was just speaking to ABC News in Bondi. He said a more official commemoration ceremony would be held in the coming days:
We are in talks with the Jewish community about the proper way to commemorate the terrible events of the weekend.
Of course, there are many families who have to organize funerals and we provide whatever assistance we can. There is no doubt that the public wanted to express how they felt. A public memorial service will be held.
We also want to recognize first responders and recognize the powerful role played by ordinary citizens who performed extraordinary acts of bravery.
Here are other images from last night’s vigil and events.
Donations to Bondi hero exceed $1.3 million
Donations poured in for Ahmed al-Ahmad, a Muslim father of two who attacked one of the gunmen from behind to disarm him. A GoFundMe page has now raised more than $1.3 million (£645,000; $864,000) in less than 24 hours.
The Sydney fruit and vegetable seller is currently recovering in hospital following surgery for gunshot wounds; After breaking off the first attack, he was shot twice by the second gunman.
Ahmed was visited earlier today by the state’s premier, who praised his extraordinary bravery. Prime minister, Anthony AlbaneseHe also described Ahmed as “the best of humanity” who “ran into danger, risking his own life”.
Ahmed’s father told Australia’s ABC that his son “served in the police, had a passion for defending people”.
“When he saw the people and blood lying on the ground, his conscience immediately pushed him to attack one of the terrorists and take his gun.” Muhammad Fatah al Ahmed in question.
Mourning and grief at vigils in Sydney
Hundreds of people attended a prayer vigil at the Chabad Bondi synagogue in Sydney’s east, the place of worship for many of those affected by Sunday’s attack.
Harry Guth said he attended to show solidarity with those killed and injured in the attack.
“I have to admit this is no surprise,” Mr. Guth said.
“Obviously I was shocked, but I expected something would happen if the cars were burned or burned. shuls (synagogues), burned restaurants, graffiti on the walls.”
Members of the Jewish community also gathered to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah on St Kilda beach and at the Caulfield Shule in the south-east of the city on Monday night.
Rabbi Effy Block Chabad St Kilda said its congregation was reeling from “broken hearts, deep shock and profound pain.”
“Yes, our hearts are heavy. Yes, we are in pain… but we will not be broken,” he said.
“We will not be silent and we will not surrender to fear”
‘Lightness will always endure’: Hanukkah events and vigils held across the country
The Australian Associated Press writes that a combination of Hanukkah events and vigils were held across Australia on Monday night, with thousands of mourners laying flowers and leaving messages to remember the 15 people killed in a massacre at a Jewish festival.
Rabbi in an emotional ceremony on Bondi beach Yossi Shuchat Lighting the candles of the one and a half meter high menorah, he told those gathered: “Lightness will always continue, where there is light, darkness cannot continue.”
The Pillars of Light festival also took place in Melbourne’s Federation Square, where participants gathered to sing, pray and watch the Rabbi. Gabi Kaltmann Light the menorah.
Addressing the crowd, Kaltmann thanked everyone “for being here in solidarity.”
“We come together with strength, not fear,” he said.
“By lighting the menorah, we will illuminate our hearts and make this darkness shine.”
What we know so far about the Bondi attack
Before we get started, here’s a summary of where we are on the main developments in this still-developing story:
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Australians and people around the world are mourning the 15 deaths in a terrorist attack on Australian Jews at the start of Hanakuh on Sunday.
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A 10-year-old girl, a local rabbi and a Holocaust survivor have been identified as among those killed
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There are still 27 injured people in hospitals; Among them is the man who struggled to neutralize the attacker. Ahmed al-Ahmed, Man who received donations of more than A$1 million and was labeled a national hero while recovering from gunshot wounds in hospital
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The alleged perpetrators of the attack were identified as a father-son pair motivated by “extreme perversion of Islam”. Anthony Albanese.
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Lawmakers have vowed to tighten the country’s already significant gun ownership laws after a mass shooting was carried out with licensed firearms. Albanese said, “People can become radicalized after a while. Licenses should not be permanent.”
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As community leaders call for Sunday’s attack not to be allowed to divide the multicultural country, some Jewish leaders say the attack was predicted and authorities are failing to combat rising hatred
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Australia rolled out an antisemitism strategy earlier this year in response to protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, but critics, including the Israeli Prime Minister, say it has failed. Benjamin NetanyahuHe said he warned Albanese that Australia’s support for a Palestinian state would fuel antisemitism.
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Albanese denied that his antisemitism strategy had failed and vowed on Monday to “do whatever it takes to eliminate antisemitism”.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I Martin Farrer The morning blogger brings you the main developments in the aftermath of the Bondi attack before taking office.
Police said they expected to charge the Bondi attack suspect, who survived throughout the night. Naveed AkramThe Prime Minister has rejected reports that the alleged gunmen are linked to an ISIS terror cell in Australia. At 7.30 he said there was “no evidence” of the allegations. More is coming.
Donations poured in Ahmed al-AhmedThe Muslim father of two attacked one of the gunmen from behind to disarm him. A GoFundMe page has now raised more than $1.3 million (£645,000; $864,000) in less than 24 hours. More to come after his parents tell us why they think their son intervened.
Religious leaders from Sydney’s largest denominations met last night at a meeting organized by the minister of state for multiculturalism. Statement from Yeni South Wales (NSW) Faith Affairs Council He said they “expressed their deepest condolences to the people killed in the terrible attack” and “reiterated their solidarity with the Jewish community.” The Sydney Opera House was lit with a Hanukkah menorah and vigils were held across the country.
