Mourners gathered Wednesday to honor Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the first of 15 killed in the Bondi Beach attack. Schlanger, a father of five, was shot during a Jewish festival by a father-and-son gun duo. Police killed 50-year-old Sajid Akram on the scene, while his son Naveed, 24, remains hospitalized after waking from a coma.
Rabbi Schlanger’s funeral drew crowds spilling onto Sydney streets. Police managed the large gathering as families grieved during Hanukkah, a festival usually marked by celebration. Rabbi Levi Wolff called the loss “unspeakable” for the local Jewish community. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed condolences, calling the day “particularly difficult” as funerals commenced.
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Authorities said the attack was driven by Islamic State ideology. Investigators are probing whether the Akram duo met extremists during a November trip to Davao in the Philippines. The gunmen opened fire for 10 minutes with long-barrelled firearms, spreading terror and targeting civilians at the festival.
Heroic efforts during the attack were captured on dashcam. Retired couple Boris and Sofia Gurman tried to subdue Sajid Akram, briefly disarming him before they were killed. The couple’s bravery has drawn praise from their family and Australian leaders, highlighting civilian courage amid tragedy.
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The attack has renewed debate over gun laws and antisemitism in Australia. Leaders plan tougher firearm regulations, while Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu urged global action to protect Jewish communities. The nation observed moments of silence at sporting events in tribute to the victims.