Bondi hero Gefen Bitton who tried to stop gunman during terror attack given Australian residency while recovering in hospital
One of the heroes who tried to stop a gunman during a deadly terror attack on Bondi Beach has been granted permanent residence in Australia.
Israeli national Gefen Bitton ran towards danger during the terrifying ordeal and stood next to another hero, Ahmed Al-Ahmed, who bravely disarmed 50-year-old Sajid Akram during the horror attack in December.
Mr Bitton was shot face down in his heroic effort to confront one of the attackers and remains in hospital recovering from his gunshot wounds.
Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, allegedly started shooting at members of the Jewish community celebrating Hanukkah by the Sea on December 14.
While hundreds of people tried to escape as a result of the fire, dozens of people were injured and 15 people, including 10-year-old Matilda, lost their lives.
During the attack, Akram was shot dead by the police, and his son Naveed was hospitalized.
He is currently being held at Goulburn Supermax prison and is charged with 50 offenses, including 15 murders.
The Daily Mail reported that Mr Bitton was granted permanent residence while he recovered in hospital; This means he can access Medicare and live and work in Australia.
The Home Office did not confirm details of the residence permit when contacted by NewsWire and said they could not comment on individual cases.
Mr. Bitton’s friend, Cayli Barr, set up a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $724,000 while he was recovering in hospital.
Ms Barr said her “beautiful friend” was shot three times and remained in intensive care, where she was making small improvements each day and staying more alert.
“On behalf of his father and his family, we are raising money for his medical expenses and rehabilitation; we have a long road ahead of us,” he said.
Mr. Bitton was celebrating Hanukkah by the Sea at Bondi Beach, jogging with his friend, when the shooting began, but when the friend looked back he had lost sight of him.
Another friend received a call from Mr. Bitton’s sister in Israel, who said: “My brother just called. He said he was shot twice and then hung up.”
Mr. Bitton’s friends searched for him and went from hospital to hospital to find him, locating their friend who was in surgery for serious gunshot wounds.
One of his friends recognized him as the man in the red shirt next to Ahmad al Ahmad in a video.
“Gefen had escaped, he was safe, but when he saw the terrorist he ran into the line of fire to help,” Ms Barr said.
“He decided to put himself at risk to save the lives of others.
“While Ahmad Al Ahmad heroically jumped on the terrorist, Gefen ran towards them to confront the terrorist.
“There he was shot, fell to the ground and was shot again. Gefen, now in intensive care, risked his own life with his selfless actions.”
“Gefen, an unarmed Israeli civilian living peacefully in Australia, made a decision most of us would never consider. Guided by the values with which he was raised and raised, he faced danger as only a hero would.”
