The two gunmen responsible for the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, were father and son, with evidence from the scene indicating their links to the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization. The Australian government has faced criticism for its perceived slow response to combating antisemitism following the incident. The death toll from the shooting has risen to 15.

Australian media reported that the attackers were 50-year-old father Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram. Sajid was shot dead at the scene, while Naveed sustained severe injuries and remains in critical condition.

On Monday, December 15, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that Sajid arrived in Australia on a student visa in 1998 but did not disclose his country of origin. In 2001, he obtained a partner visa typically granted to spouses of Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Sajid held a firearms license for six guns, which police believe were all used in Sunday’s attack on the crowd at Bondi Beach.

Naveed is an Australian-born citizen. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Monday that Naveed had drawn the attention of Australian security agencies as early as 2019. “He was investigated due to his associations with others, but assessments at the time found no indication that he posed any ongoing threat or had violent tendencies,” Albanese said.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Naveed is believed to have had close ties to an ISIS member who was arrested in July 2019 and later convicted for plotting a terrorist attack in Australia. Counterterrorism investigators believe both Sajid and Naveed had pledged allegiance to ISIS.

ABC also cited senior investigative officials as saying that two ISIS flags were found in the vehicle the attackers parked at Bondi Beach, though New South Wales Police said they could not confirm this report.

Police conducted raids on two properties in western Sydney. Australian media reported that Naveed had lived at one of the locations, while the other served as the father-and-son duo’s residence immediately prior to the attack.

Australia’s domestic intelligence agency, ASIO, declined to comment when asked, stating it “does not comment on individuals or ongoing investigations.”
Authorities have not yet disclosed the suspects’ motive but described the attack as clearly an antisemitic act of terrorism.

On Sunday, the two gunmen opened fire on a crowd at Bondi Beach. By Monday, the death toll had risen to 15, with victims ranging in age from 10 to 87. An additional 42 people were hospitalized with injuries, including two police officers.

At the time of the attack, more than 1,000 people were gathered on the beach for a Jewish “Hanukkah by the Sea” celebration. Prime Minister Albanese condemned the assault as an evil antisemitic act and announced that flags across the nation would be flown at half-mast on Monday in mourning.

In the aftermath, the Australian government’s commitment to fighting antisemitism has come under scrutiny. On Monday, Albanese rejected these criticisms, citing measures already implemented by authorities, such as criminalizing hate speech and banning Nazi salutes and hate symbols.

World leaders have widely condemned the attack, and cities around the globe have heightened security for Hanukkah events.

Security has been reinforced around Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate; extra police forces have been deployed to Hanukkah celebrations and synagogues in New York City; and armed police presence was doubled at Warsaw’s main synagogue during Sunday evening services. Authorities have also strengthened protective measures around embassies and religious sites internationally.

The two gunmen responsible for the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, were father and son, with evidence from the scene indicating their links to the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization. The Australian government has faced criticism for its perceived slow response to combating antisemitism following the incident. The death toll from the shooting has risen to 15.

Australian media reported that the attackers were 50-year-old father Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram. Sajid was shot dead at the scene, while Naveed sustained severe injuries and remains in critical condition.

On Monday, December 15, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that Sajid arrived in Australia on a student visa in 1998 but did not disclose his country of origin. In 2001, he obtained a partner visa typically granted to spouses of Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Sajid held a firearms license for six guns, which police believe were all used in Sunday’s attack on the crowd at Bondi Beach.

Naveed is an Australian-born citizen. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Monday that Naveed had drawn the attention of Australian security agencies as early as 2019. “He was investigated due to his associations with others, but assessments at the time found no indication that he posed any ongoing threat or had violent tendencies,” Albanese said.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Naveed is believed to have had close ties to an ISIS member who was arrested in July 2019 and later convicted for plotting a terrorist attack in Australia. Counterterrorism investigators believe both Sajid and Naveed had pledged allegiance to ISIS.

ABC also cited senior investigative officials as saying that two ISIS flags were found in the vehicle the attackers parked at Bondi Beach, though New South Wales Police said they could not confirm this report.

Police conducted raids on two properties in western Sydney. Australian media reported that Naveed had lived at one of the locations, while the other served as the father-and-son duo’s residence immediately prior to the attack.

Australia’s domestic intelligence agency, ASIO, declined to comment when asked, stating it “does not comment on individuals or ongoing investigations.”
Authorities have not yet disclosed the suspects’ motive but described the attack as clearly an antisemitic act of terrorism.

On Sunday, the two gunmen opened fire on a crowd at Bondi Beach. By Monday, the death toll had risen to 15, with victims ranging in age from 10 to 87. An additional 42 people were hospitalized with injuries, including two police officers.

At the time of the attack, more than 1,000 people were gathered on the beach for a Jewish “Hanukkah by the Sea” celebration. Prime Minister Albanese condemned the assault as an evil antisemitic act and announced that flags across the nation would be flown at half-mast on Monday in mourning.

In the aftermath, the Australian government’s commitment to fighting antisemitism has come under scrutiny. On Monday, Albanese rejected these criticisms, citing measures already implemented by authorities, such as criminalizing hate speech and banning Nazi salutes and hate symbols.

World leaders have widely condemned the attack, and cities around the globe have heightened security for Hanukkah events.

Security has been reinforced around Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate; extra police forces have been deployed to Hanukkah celebrations and synagogues in New York City; and armed police presence was doubled at Warsaw’s main synagogue during Sunday evening services. Authorities have also strengthened protective measures around embassies and religious sites internationally.