British-born rabbi among at least 12 killed in gun attack on Bondi Beach

At least 12 people, including a British-born rabbi, have died and 29 were injured when two “terrorist” gunmen targeted a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australian police have said.

The gunmen, armed with what police have described as “long guns”, opened fire on the Archer Park area of the popular beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, New South Wales Police said.

The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to the beach on the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, also known as Chanukah, the force confirmed.

British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, has been named as one of the victims.

Father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, has been hailed a hero for tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling the weapon away from him.

Video shared on social media shows the gunman then backing away.

His family have said that the 43-year-old fruit shop owner remains in hospital for bullet wounds to his arm and hand and called him a “100% hero”, while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised him as a “genuine hero”.

In a message to the people of Australia, the King said he was “appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack”.

Charles, who is head of state in the Commonwealth nation and visited Bondi Beach in 2012, said in a statement: “My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach,” his statement said.

“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community.

“We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy.

“In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia – and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival – will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.”

In a personal signed message on social media, the Prince and Princess of Wales said: “Our thoughts are with every Australian today following the terrible attack at Bondi Beach.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and stand with the Jewish community in grief.

“We are also thinking about the bravery of the emergency responders, particularly the two injured officers. W & C”

The family of London-born Eli Schlanger have described him as a “joyful rabbi”.

The father-of-five grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family members at Kinloss Synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News.

The 41-year-old and his wife, Chayala, celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago.

His cousin, Brighton-based Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told Jewish News: “How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?”

Mr Minns told a press conference: “This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, what should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.”

Mr Minns confirmed one of the alleged gunmen has been killed while the other is in police custody.

“Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight,” he added.

Malcolm Lanyon, the commissioner of New South Wales Police said 29 people including two police officers, had been transported to various hospitals around the Sydney area.

He said that “several improvised explosive devices” had been found in a car at Bondi Beach linked to the deceased gunman which were being dealt by bomb disposal experts.

Mr Lanyon added that the deceased offender had been known to the authorities, but there had been no “specific threat”.

He said: “If the police had had intelligence there was a risk to the community or to this event, we would have taken significant action.”

Mr Lanyon said that police were also investigating the possibility of a third offender “to leave no stone left unturned”.

Witness Lachlan Moran, 32, from Melbourne, told the Associated Press: “You heard a few pops, and I freaked out and ran away. I started sprinting. I just had that intuition. I sprinted as quickly as I could.

“Everyone just dropped all their possessions and everything and were running and people were crying and it was just horrible.”

Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, said the Bondi Beach attack was “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism”.

“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith,” he said.

“An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated on this attack on our way of life.”

The mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said the Metropolitan Police is increasing its visibility in Jewish communities ahead of any Hanukkah events.

In a post on X, Mr Khan said: “My thoughts and condolences – along with the rest of London – are with everyone affected by the horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia today.”

A statement from Metropolitan Police said: “While there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning we are stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community to understand what more we can do in the coming hours and days.

“We always encourage the public to be vigilant at events and in public places. If you see anything suspicious, trust your instincts and tell us.”

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day festival of light usually observed in December.

The Prime Minister is understood to have been in touch with Mr Albanese and the CST (Community Security Trust), a charity which provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK.

Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X: “Chanukah should be a time of celebration and joy.

“The news that the Bondi Beach attack was an antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish families at a Chanukah event is sickening.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families.

“The United Kingdom will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community. We are actively working with the CST on the policing of Chanukah events.”

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has told any British people caught up in the Bondi Beach shooting to contact the consulate for support.

Published: 14/12/2025 by Radio NewsHub