Albanese heckled at Bondi vigil as nation observes Day of Reflection

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced boos and jeers as he arrived at a Bondi Beach memorial Sunday for the victims of a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration, part of a nationwide Day of Reflection observed a week after the attack. The incident drew a crowded scene on the Bandai foreshore, with attendees and security personnel surrounding the vigil near Bondi Pavilion as the community prepared to pause for a moment of silence.

Albanese arrived with his wife, Jodie, and a substantial security detail, as thousands gathered ahead of a vigil slated to begin at 6:47 p.m., the moment police first received reports of the shooting last Sunday. A man ran toward the prime minister shouting “blood on your hands” before being restrained by police and escorted from the area; there were no reports of an arrest. An estimated 15,000 people attended the memorial, which featured music, prayers, and tributes to those who died and were injured in the attack.

The attack, which occurred during a Hanukkah festival, left 15 people dead and dozens injured, with 13 still hospitalized. Police have identified the assailants as Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram. In the lead-up to the vigil, Albanese urged Australians to observe a minute of silence at 6:47 p.m. across the country, framing the moment as a time to reflect on the victims and the families affected. The National Day of Reflection was linked to Chanukah’s final night, a period associated with light, faith and resilience.

The event drew political, religious, and community leaders from across New South Wales and Australia. NSW Premier Chris Minns received a standing ovation from attendees, contrasting with the muted reception Albanese received when he entered the site and during the welcome. Former prime minister John Howard, Governor General Sam Mostyn, and Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley also attended the vigil, with others offering support to the victims’ families.

The Australian Jewish Association had warned beforehand that Albanese might face a mixed reception at Bondi and circulated a video noting sensitivity around the prime minister’s appearance. The association said the community was engaged in a broad dialogue about how to react to the visit, underscoring the emotional intensity surrounding the tragedy.

A moving program unfolded under the evening sky, featuring the performance of Waltzing Matilda by David Campbell, and a montage of the 15 victims displayed for attendees. The victims named in tributes included Boris and Sofia Gurman, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Edith Brutman, Adam Smyth, Boris Tetleroyd, Marika Pogany, 10-year-old Matilda, Peter Meagher, Dan Elkayam, Reuven Morrison, Tibor Weitzen, Alexander Kleytman, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, and Tania Tretiak. Prayers were read in Hebrew and English as the crowd stood silent and still.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip thanked the crowd for their attendance and noted the support for the community, including Minns and other leaders who had travelled to Bondi. Ossip said Albanese’s presence was a reminder of the country’s shared responsibility in confronting hatred and violence, even as the crowd’s response underscored the emotional complexities of the moment.

In addition to the ceremonial elements, the vigil reflected a broader political moment as leaders signaled continued collaboration with the Jewish community on security, commemoration, and future memorial practices. Albanese described the National Day of Reflection as a chance to carve out time amid daily life to honor the victims, and the government said it would work with the community on a National Day of Mourning to be held in the New Year to give families space to grieve and to support those still recovering.