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The community gathered at Bondi Beach to hold a vigil and paddle-out in memory of the 15 victims. Meanwhile, police detained seven men in separate incidents, and officials indicated the shooting may have been inspired by Daesh.
In the wake of the attack, Australia plans to implement a nationwide gun buyback program, similar to the one introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which resulted in some of the strictest firearm laws globally. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the need to remove more guns from Australian streets, citing the recent violence where two gunmen opened fire during Hanukkah celebrations, killing 15 and injuring many others. The gunman, a 50-year-old with a license and six registered weapons, was killed at the scene. It’s estimated that around four million firearms are currently in circulation across the country. The government intends to target surplus, newly prohibited, and illegal firearms, sharing costs with state authorities.
Australia had previously carried out a gun buyback, seizing approximately 640,000 prohibited firearms with a compensation payout of about A$304 million ($201 million). Neighboring New Zealand also enacted comprehensive gun reforms, including buyback schemes, following the Christchurch terror attack in 2019.
Prime Minister Albanese responded to rising antisemitism with measures to strengthen hate crime legislation. The government condemned antisemitic acts over the past two years, expelled the Iranian ambassador amid accusations of Tehran’s involvement in arson attacks, and indicated future efforts to bolster hate laws.
Authorities have suggested that Thursday’s police actions, which intercepted two vehicles and detained seven men in Sydney’s southwest, were connected by potential ideological similarities rather than confirmed links to Bondi’s shooters. The police continue to monitor these individuals while assessing the threats they may pose.
Daesh has praised the Bondi shooting as a “source of pride” on their Telegram channel, without explicitly claiming responsibility. Additional security has been deployed around Sydney’s Lakemba mosque, one of the largest in Australia, ahead of Friday prayers.
In solidarity, Australia’s Jewish community held prayers at Bondi Beach, and hundreds of swimmers and surfers formed a large circle in the water to honor the victims. Community leaders described the support as deeply moving amidst intensified fears of a rise in antisemitic incidents. Rabbi Yosef Eichenblatt from Sydney’s Central Synagogue expressed that the outpouring of love and support has been incredibly comforting and therapeutic amid the ongoing challenges faced by the community.
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