Bondi Beach Attack: 15 Dead, Gun Laws Eyed

A horrific mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday, December 14, 2025, has left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured. The attack, which unfolded during the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights, has sent shockwaves across Australia and the globe, according to reports from CBS News and other international outlets. Emergency services responded to reports of gunfire around 6:45 PM local time, with victims ranging in age from 10 to 87 years old.

Authorities have identified the suspected perpetrators as a father, aged 50, and his 24-year-old son, as reported by The Jakarta Post on Monday. The father was fatally shot by police at the scene, while the son was arrested and remains hospitalized with critical injuries under guard. This tragic event marks Australia's deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades, according to time Magazine.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese swiftly condemned the incident as an "act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism". The attack specifically targeted the Jewish community gathered for the annual "Chanukah by the Sea" event, as confirmed by the New South Wales government. Police also discovered a homemade bomb in a vehicle linked to the attackers near the beach, according to CBS News.

The rarity of such violence has deeply shocked Australia, a nation known for its strict gun laws implemented after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, as highlighted by CBC News. Prime Minister Albanese announced that tougher gun laws would be considered, including limits on the number of firearms an individual can possess and more frequent license reviews. This comes amidst revelations that the deceased father was a licensed firearms holder with six registered weapons.

The incident has intensified criticism regarding the handling of antisemitic attacks in Australia, which have seen a significant rise since October 2023. Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal and the opposition have accused the government of not doing enough, with Ms. Segal stating that "calling it out is not enough". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also weighed in, accusing the Australian government of "pouring oil on the fire of antisemitism" in the months leading up to the shooting, as reported by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

In response to the tragedy, security has been significantly increased around Hanukkah events globally, according to The Times of Israel. Major cities including Berlin, London, New York, and Chicago have ramped up police presence and security measures to ensure the safety of Jewish communities celebrating the holiday. This global reaction underscores the widespread concern and solidarity following the targeted attack.

• Escalation of Antisemitism in Australia: The Bondi Beach attack follows a dramatic surge in antisemitic incidents across Australia since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) reported an almost five-fold increase in anti-Jewish incidents, logging 1,654 incidents between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, compared to the average annual number before October 2023. Previous incidents included arson attacks on a kosher catering business and a synagogue, some of which the Australian government attributed to Iranian direction.

• Victims and Community Impact: Among the 15 confirmed fatalities were Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and a key event organizer, and a 10-year-old girl. Other identified victims include Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, French national Dan Elkayam, and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan. The attack has deeply shaken Australia's Jewish community, with many questioning their future safety in a country historically known for its religious tolerance, as noted by Tel Aviv University's Uriya Shavit.

• Gun Control Under Scrutiny: Australia's stringent gun laws, enacted after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, have been a point of national pride, significantly reducing mass shootings. However, the fact that one of the attackers was a licensed firearms holder with six registered weapons has brought these laws under renewed scrutiny. Prime Minister Albanese has proposed reforms, including limiting firearm ownership per person and more frequent license reviews, which will be discussed by the National Cabinet.

• Government Response and Criticism: While Prime Minister Albanese pledged to eradicate antisemitism and increase funding for Jewish community security, his government faces criticism for its perceived inaction prior to the attack. Opposition leader Sussan Ley claimed that "antisemitism in Australia has been left to fester" under the current administration. The government is still considering recommendations from its Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, who urged for accelerated action beyond mere condemnation.

• Global Security Ramp-Up: The Bondi Beach attack prompted an immediate global response, with cities worldwide enhancing security for Hanukkah celebrations. New York Mayor Eric Adams announced increased protection for synagogues and Hanukkah events, stating that the attack was "not an isolated incident" but "part of a wider assault on Jewish life". Police in Berlin, London, Chicago, and New Zealand also confirmed heightened patrols and security measures around Jewish institutions.

• Investigation Details and Motive: New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that a homemade bomb was found in a vehicle linked to the attackers, suggesting a planned terrorist act. While police are still unraveling the full motive, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported possible links between the father and son and the Islamic State group, with Prime Minister Albanese later attributing the motive to an "extreme perversion of Islam". It was also revealed that the younger alleged shooter had been investigated by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in 2019, though no ongoing threat was identified at the time.