Behind the Bondi Attacks
🇦🇺 Main Story - The Bondi Beach Attack
14 December 2025
Overview
On the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish community of Bondi took to the beach to celebrate a night of peace and joy. This was until 24-year-old Naveed Akram and 50-year-old Sajid Akram rained down with bullets, taking 15 innocent lives and injuring dozens more. The youngest of those who died was Matilda, at only 10 years old. [Sydney Morning Herald]
The two gunmen, from Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s west, were said to be associated with Islamic extremists even before the police granted their gun licence.
According to the ABC, the pair travelled to the southern Philippines in November for “military-style training”, although there is no evident connection yet between the two and the Islamic State of East Asia (ISEA) (prescribed a terrorist organisation by the Australian Government, 2017). The investigation is still underway. [ABC] [Sydney Morning Herald]
The Behind the Scenes
Protesting entanglements
Jewish activist Michelle Berkon was removed from the Bondi Beach memorial site after wearing a keffiyeh (a cotton scarf as a symbol of Palestinian identity) amongst a crowd of Israeli flags. [Aljazeera]
Berkon claims that this tragedy has become a politicised event, with sympathy felt for the state of Israel and not for the Jewish community in Australia, which the disaster affected. Berkon also stated that “were there no Israeli flags here we would not have worn a keffiyeh… as the Israeli flag represents genocide”. [Aljazeera]
What is the Mossad?
An Israeli intelligence and special operations agency, Mossad claimed that an Iranian official was behind the attack in Bondi and has been promoting antisemitic attacks around the world. [ABC]
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation believes the same, as at least two attacks targeting Australia’s Jewish community were supposedly directed by Iranian officials since August 2025. [ABC]
Netanyahu (Israel’s president) is said to have warned Anthony Albanese in a letter that their policies were “promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia” in August 2025. [Reuters]
Although, given that these findings were revealed by an Israeli intelligence agency, it is clear that the narrative is painted against Muslims and against Iran (whom Netanyahu has been against for the last 30 years). However, Iran condemns the deadly attack. Regardless of who the attack was orchestrated by, the one factor that no one has considered is the unexpected hero…
The Unexpected Hero
Ahmed Al Ahmed, a Muslim, age 43 and known as the hero from the Bondi Beach shooting, was unarmed and tackled one of the gunman to the floor, disarming him. Sustaining gun injuries himself during the fight, Ahmed Al Ahmed potentially saved many lives in this feat of bravery. Ahmed is currently in hospital and, with the generosity of Australia, has been gifted $2.5 million from a GoFundMe set up for him. [ABC] [SBS]
The everlasting culture of Australian unity.
Twenty-four hours following the attack, a record 7,810 blood donations came through to the Red Cross to aid the victims of the Bondi attacks. Hundreds of people still lined up outside their buildings, with a waiting time of up to three hours just to donate blood. [ABC]
The support of the Jewish communities in Australia has been phenomenal, with commemorations held on Sunday the 21st, a coordinated support package and the deep outreach of friends and family. The Jewish Board of Deputies in Australia are “deeply moved with the outpouring support” of the community, highlighting Australia’s unity in these dark times. [Jewish Board of Deputies]
The Next Steps
Restriction on gun laws, taken from NSW government site. [NSW GOV]
Imposing a cap of four firearms per individual, with strict exemptions for primary producers and sports shooters, who may hold a maximum of 10 firearms.
Reclassifying straight-pull/pump-action and button/lever release firearms into Category C, limiting their access primarily to primary producers.
Reducing magazine capacity for Category A and B firearms to a maximum of five to ten rounds, from a current unlimited capacity.
Introducing a complete ban on firearms that can use belt-fed magazines.
Plan to combat hate speech and radicalisation. The National Security Committee has agreed that changes will occur on the following five points: [Ministers’ Media Centre]
1. Aggravated hate speech offence for preachers and leaders who promote violence.
2. Increased penalties for hate speech promoting violence.
3. Making hate an aggravating factor in sentencing crimes for online threats and harassment.
4. Developing a regime for listing organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech promoting violence or racial hatred.
5. Developing a narrow federal offence for serious vilification based on race and/or advocating racial supremacy.
National Day of Reflection on 21st December to honour the victims of the attack on Bondi Beach.
“People across the country are invited to light a candle at 6:47pm, exactly one week since the attack unfolded, as a quiet act of remembrance with family, friends or loved ones. We are also asking Australians to observe a minute of silence at 6:47pm.” [Australian Government]
In Summary
The Bondi Beach attack of December the 14th will be remembered as a day of mourning for all, as many lives were taken. While the event has already been politicised, particularly through the display of Israeli flags at the memorial, and may be exploited by right-wing media to fuel hatred, the core truth remains: communities must not be blamed for the actions of individuals. Support should go to Jewish communities in Australia, not the state of Israel, which had no involvement in the attack. Just as the Muslim community and Iran shouldn’t be blamed for the actions of two shooters, the focus should be on the Muslim man who stopped the attack and prevented further harm. This is an event that should not encourage hate but instead promote Australian unity that is the true Aussie culture. Mateship, multiculturalism and strength in our communities are things that should not be taken for granted, but instead celebrated as what it means to be Australian.
🌍 Top Stories of the Week 11/12 - 17/12
11 December
Ukraine is set to hold a new election in the next 90 days if it’s allies can guarantee it’s security. [CNN]
We will know if Zelensky wins that he has the people’s full support. If not then the the loss of territory posed in the peace plan with Russia will fall upon the new leader.
Amazon will invest over $35 billion in India’s AI, exports and provide 1 million jobs. [Reuters]
Microsoft will also invest in $17.5 billion in India, CEO Nadella says. [Reuters]
Trump will be fuming.
The American Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by 25 basis points. [CNBC] What does this mean?
“Dropping by 25 basis points” means that interest rates will reach the target of 4.25% to 4.50%, making borrowing money cheaper and more accessible. Whether this will be borrowing from credit cards, loans, auto financing and, mortgages it will be cheaper.
With the implementation of tariffs the cost of living for an everyday American became expensive. Lowering the interest rate could increase inflationary pressure down the track, increasing the prices of goods and services but at least for now the new interest rate will aid Americans with the intensified cost of living.
12 December
Trump administration is discussing the idea of creating alternative to G7. A clear statement against Europe. They include:
🇺🇸 United States
🇨🇳 China
🇷🇺 Russia
🇮🇳 India
🇯🇵 Japan
13 December
🇺🇸 Oversight committee releases additional Epstein estate documents. Please take discretion when viewing these photos. [CNN]
14 December
🇪🇺 EU Split Over Frozen Russian Assets in Belgium. [The Conversation]
~€185bn held in Belgium’s Euroclear.
Major EU states push to use funds for Ukraine.
Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia oppose seizure, warn of legal risks.
Belgium, with a GDP of €550 billion, doesn’t want to risk handling €185 billion. On the other hand, US also wants to use frozen Russian assets.
2 US soldiers, 1 American civilian killed in ISIS ambush in Syria, Pentagon says. Attacker was been killed. [BBC]
15 December
🇮🇱 🇮🇷 Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, claims Iran is the prime suspect in the Bondi Beach attack. [Times of Israel]
16 December
Elon Musk just became the first person to ever be worth $600 billion. [Fortune]
17 December
🇷🇺 Russian oil prices have fallen to their lowest levels since the war in Ukraine. Russia's total oil exports fell by roughly 400 kb/d in November to 6.9 mb/d. [The Economic Times]
🌎 Brent crude fell below $60 as Russia-Ukraine peace talks advance.
Largest importers of Russian Energy: China, EU, India.
🇺🇸 🇮🇱 Trump agrees he's the first Jewish President of the United States.
Mark Levin: “Now he's the first Jewish President to serve two non-consecutive terms in office.”
Trump “True. That’s true.
