Albanese booed at Bondi Beach memorial for Hanukkah attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed and jeered as he arrived at a Bondi Beach memorial for the victims of the December 14 terrorist attack that targeted a Hanukkah celebration, witnesses said. The attack left 15 people dead and several dozen wounded, with health officials saying 13 of those wounded remained hospitalized as the city mourned. Police maintained tight security as a crowd of mourners and dignitaries gathered along the iconic Sydney shore for the National Day of Reflection declared by federal and New South Wales governments.

Albanese sat in the front row as the memorial service unfolded, his arrival met with chants and expressions of anger from sections of the crowd. Video from the scene showed protesters shouting phrases including “blood on your hands,” “shame on you,” and “you supported the intifada” as the prime minister walked toward the stage. He received a second round of booing and scattered applause when the speaker acknowledged his presence. By contrast, opposition leader Sussan Ley was met with a standing ovation after she arrived. The stark reception underscored a rift within parts of the Australian public over how the government has addressed antisemitism and security in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war that began in 2023.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin told the crowd that victims’ families felt “tragically, unforgivably let down” by the government’s failures to curb antisemitism and to address community fears. He said families were still in shock and grappling with how to move forward, while expressing a desire for concrete action to prevent further hate crimes. Albanese, for his part, pledged to strengthen Australia’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the wake of the attack, saying the country would “never let hate divide us.”

Tonight we stood together as Australians. To reject antisemitism. To remember the precious lives we lost one week ago. And to wrap our arms around the Jewish community who are grieving. This has been a dark week for Australia, but we will never let hate divide us. — Anthony Albanese, post on X

Some social-media users criticized the prime minister’s post on X, arguing that his government did not do enough to confront antisemitism before or after the attack. Others defended the message as an expression of national unity amid tragedy.

The attack occurred on a busy Sunday as Hanukkah celebrations were underway along Bondi Beach. Police have identified two gunmen as responsible for the assault. One of the suspects, Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of causing harm with intent to murder in relation to the wounded. Akram’s father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed by police at the scene. Authorities have not released a full timeline of the incident, but investigators described it as a coordinated, ideologically motivated attack targeting a religious celebration. Medical officials noted that 13 people who were wounded remain in hospitals in the Sydney area as the community grieves.

The incident has prompted officials to reiterate commitments to counter extremism and antisemitism and to bolster protections for communities at risk. In addition to Sunday’s memorial, federal and state authorities announced ongoing investigations and said security would remain heightened at public events as Sydney and the wider country process the aftermath of the attack.

As the memorial drew to a close, mourners laid flowers and lit candles along the path that runs beside Bondi Beach. The scene reflected a city trying to balance solemn remembrance with a broader call for accountability and change in the face of rising antisemitism across the region.

Authorities cautioned that the investigation remains active and that additional charges could be filed as more information comes to light. The Day of Reflection was intended to provide space for national mourning and to demonstrate solidarity with the Jewish community, while also highlighting the need for continued vigilance against hate crimes and extremism. As Australia grapples with the complex emotions of anger, grief, and resolve, leaders across the political spectrum have signaled an intent to work together to prevent a recurrence and to support victims’ families as they navigate the weeks and months ahead.