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In the aftermath of the Bondi terrorist attack, the clear message from the Jewish community leaders has been that we need unambiguous support for our Jewish community.

Today the Minns Labor Government is asking faith and community leaders from around the state to pledge their support to the Jewish community.

This is a call to action for our faith and community leaders; we need everyone to meet words with action. The NSW Government is currently undertaking a whole-of-government response to ensure our Jewish community are supported.

The statement reads:

“In the wake of the unspeakable attack on our Jewish community at Bondi Beach, we come together across cultural, linguistic and religious differences to make a unified pledge:

• We collectively mourn for victims and their families and pledge our support and solidarity for the Jewish community in NSW.
• We pledge to stand up and stand united against antisemitism, racism and hate and to support all victims of racism, hate and religious intolerance.
• We pledge to protect and promote the rights and responsibilities of all the people of NSW in a cohesive and multicultural society.
• We pledge to work in unity across cultural, linguistic and religious differences to uphold our democratic values and freedoms.
• We are stronger together.”

To sign the pledge, please visit: Support pledge – Bondi attack 

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“In the wake of this horrific attack, it is more important than ever that the Jewish community in NSW knows they do not stand alone.

“Every community leader. Every faith leader. Must be unambiguous in their support of our Jewish community.

“It will take everyone working together to ensure we can properly address the insidious affliction that is antisemitism.”

President of the Jewish Board of Deputies David Ossip said:

“The trauma of the Bondi terrorist attack on the Jewish community is simply incalculable. The hurt and the loss are profound.

“Now more than ever, we need everyone to come together. Now is a time for unity. Now is a time for us to spread light and to unequivocally call for an end to antisemitism. Our Jewish community needs your support.

“Please show that we are stronger together. Let’s work together to bring about a return to the Australia we love.”

Prime Minister, Governor Beazley, Archbishop Fisher, Rabbi Elton, members of the diplomatic corps, including Ambassador Maimon, religious leaders, in particular, president of the Jewish Board of Deputies, David Ossip.

We were meant to gather here tonight to celebrate Christmas, a season that speaks to Christians of joy, of hope and of light entering the world.

Unfortunately and instead, we come together here at the beautiful St Mary’s Cathedral in a different spirit.

United in grief but also in love, to stand alongside the Jewish community of New South Wales and to say clearly and without hesitation that you are not alone.

In the Catholic tradition, places like this cathedral exist not just for celebrations, but for moments like this, moments when a community gathers for one another.

To comfort each other, to bear grief together and to affirm the dignity of every human life.

Tonight, that’s exactly what we’re doing. Yesterday, many of us were deeply moved by the words of Rabbi Eli Feldman, who spoke so beautifully about his dear friend, Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

The two Elis had studied together as young men, they’d both become rabbis, and Schlanger was like a brother to Feldman.

Eli Schlanger was one of those optimistic people who would celebrate Chanukah by dancing down the street, because he said the best way of fighting antisemitism was to dance.

On Sunday night, Rabbi Schlanger was murdered. He was murdered on Bondi Beach for the simple reason that he was a member of the Jewish community.

If Eli Feldman had responded to this evil act with spite or with hatred, I think there’d be a general understanding from most Australians.

But instead, on television, in front of everybody, he said, “No matter the colour of your skin or what you believe, we are all created in God’s image, every single human being is created in God’s image. Let us love each other. Let us care about each other.”

If there is anything this moment asks of us, it is reflection on the extraordinary grace shown by Rabbi Feldman and so many religious leaders of the Jewish faith, who we call our neighbours and our friends.

Reflect on their values, the values that bind us together as a society.

For those of us who are not Jewish, moments like this remind us of the deep responsibility that we have to listen, to learn and to stand alongside a community whose history reflects resilience, courage and faith, but also persecution.

Here in Australia, we believe and we must continue to prove that people have a fundamental right to be able to live openly, practice their faith freely and feel safe doing it.

That promise matters, and it’s one we recommit to tonight. The purpose of this attack was to frighten us and to isolate us. It was designed to divide Australian against Australian.

But standing here together across faiths and backgrounds, it’s clear that it will fail. It will fail because of the strength of the Jewish people.

It will fail because of the strength of Australians, a strength shaped by our shared values, our respect for faith and an unbreakable commitment to one another, whether we know each other or not.

The truth is, our instinct as Australians, is to stand by our mates, to look after one another and to leave no one behind.

And when that instinct is tested, it reveals itself not in speeches, but in brave and often selfless acts.

In recent days, we’ve seen life savers run barefoot towards danger. Long lines form around blood banks across the country, quiet acts of humanity that speak far louder than any words.

As we approach Christmas, a season that calls Christians to joy and peace, we do so with heavy hearts this year, but I hope not without hope.

Now, I think it would be reasonable that hope could seem a distant prospect after the last few days.

Some may even call a return to happiness and unity a miracle. And the truth is, we’ve got every reason for despair at the moment.

But perhaps we can take some encouragement and comfort from our Jewish friends. As David Ben Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel, said “In the Middle East, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles.”

So don’t give up on hope. Rabbi Sacks once said, “To be a Jew is to be an agent of hope in a world serially threatened by despair. Ours is a sustained struggle against the world that is, in the name of the world that could be, should be, but is not yet.”

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was buried today. He left a message just weeks ago for all of us, not knowing that it would sustain us after his passing, and we’ve been ripped apart.

He said, “May we pray for peace within our hearts and peace all over the world.”

Today, the Albanese and Minns Governments have announced an immediate support package to assist victims, their families, and small businesses impacted by the Bondi terror attack.

The package has been jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments, with most elements to be funded under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), which have been activated in the wake of this attack. 

The package delivers immediate financial assistance, expanded victim support services and targeted business help, recognising the profound emotional, social and economic toll of the attack.

A community hub will be open at North Bondi RSL, with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW Health, Service NSW, Service NSW Business Concierge, Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network, Legal Aid and Lifeline on hand to provide practical advice and support.

The hub will operate from tomorrow, Friday 19 December to Tuesday 23 December, between 10am and 4pm.
 
The package includes:
 
Victims and family support

• $2 million for Jewish community organisations to support victims’ families, including $1 million for Jewish House to establish a Victim Support Fund to deliver timely, culturally sensitive assistance to the Jewish Community.
• $1 million for Legal Aid and Disaster Response Legal Services to provide legal services to support the recovery of communities.
• Enhancements to NSW’s existing victim support scheme, including increased financial support for injured victims and their immediate families, funeral and burial costs for victims and support for the repatriation of remains.
• $1 million for local Jewish organisations to provide community mental health triage.
• $3.6 million for six place-based recovery officers to undertake case coordination and outreach for affected individuals and families.

Business and community support

• Up to $25,000 for impacted small businesses in the immediate vicinity and those who show exceptional circumstances. Registrations commence on Friday, December 19, with grants processed by early next week.
• $1.5 million for additional security at Jewish community locations.
• $1 million for Waverley Council to assist with clean-up requirements at Bondi Beach, and for community cohesion events.
• $2.8 million to provide up to eight coordinators to undertake community engagement, support the local community and provide capacity building. The funding includes $1 million for a grant program delivered through a partnership between Multicultural NSW and the Jewish Board of Deputies to support community organisations.

Impacted businesses will be able to register for support from Friday, with applications processed from early next week. They can do this by attending the Community Hub or contacting Service NSW on 13 77 88 to organise a meeting with a Business Concierge member.  
 
Mental health support
 
A mental health disaster response has been initiated, with mental health clinicians working on the ground in Bondi and Coogee.

These mobile clinicians will be onsite wearing hi-vis NSW Health vests from 8am to 8pm for the next several weeks

NSW Health has also increased staff coverage on its dedicated 24-hour Mental Health Line, on 1800 011 511.

The Transcultural Mental Health Line (1800 648 911) is available for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

If you, or someone in your care, needs crisis support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.  Children and young people can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au.

The Australian and NSW Government will continue working closely with the community to ensure support remains responsive and sustained.


“The antisemitic terrorism incident in Bondi has shaken the Jewish community, and indeed the whole nation who have been devastated by what is an unprecedented attack on the Australian way of life.

“This event is a tragedy and the Bondi community, Sydney, and Australia, is hurting. My government is committed to supporting those in the wake of this tragedy which is why we are partnering with the New South Wales Government to provide over $20 million in funding for support services through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

“My Government unequivocally stands against terrorism and will do whatever it takes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of this community and all Australians.”

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns:

“This attack has caused unimaginable pain for victims, families and the Jewish community, and it has shaken our entire state.”

“Our responsibility is to stand alongside people in their grief, provide real support, and help the community recover, not just in the days ahead, but for as long as it takes.”

“This package is about dignity, compassion and practical help, ensuring families are supported, businesses can recover, and people know they are not facing this alone.”

“I urge anyone who is struggling or needs help to reach out. Support is available, and we want people to use it.”

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey:

“Sydney’s Jewish community, and everyone else who loves Bondi Beach, have refused to be cowed by Sunday’s evil attack.

“This assistance package is recognition that our community is at its strongest when it pulls together – and that when it does so, terror can never prevail.

“We will make every effort to ensure that one of Australia’s best loved landmarks remains a place of joy, celebration and freedom for all.”

On Sunday evening, as the sun set over Bondi Beach, I witnessed both the worst of humanity and the very best of Australia. 

The horrific images of the Bondi terrorist attack have now been seen across New South Wales and around the world. This was a permanent stain on one of our nation’s most iconic places, a beach that reflects who we are as a country: open, diverse and free. 

As we continue to grapple with the shock and senseless loss of life, our thoughts are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who were killed, and with the many who were injured. 

We owe an immense debt of gratitude to first responders, surf lifesaving volunteers and members of the public who ran towards danger, without hesitation and without regard for their own safety, to help strangers in need. 

Now we must confront why this happened. 

Once, an attack like this would have been unthinkable in Australia. Yet warning signs have been mounting for some time. This was not just an attack in a public place, it was an attack on our Jewish community, and on the values that bind us together. 

We must examine our gun laws. There is no credible justification for any individual in metropolitan Sydney to own or access multiple high-powered firearms. As Leader of the Opposition, I will work constructively with the Government to ensure New South Wales has the strongest gun laws in the country. Community safety demands nothing less. 

But laws alone are not enough. If we allow hatred to take root and go unchallenged, those laws will be tested, and our people and our communities will remain at risk. 

Antisemitism in NSW has not emerged overnight. It has been allowed to grow through complacency, institutional drift, and a failure of leadership over several years. 

Warning signs were visible well before October 7, rising hostility in workplaces, politicisation of public institutions, tolerance of intimidation, and the quiet erosion of impartiality in education, health and public service settings. 

Rather than confronting these trends early, our governments too often chose appeasement over enforcement and silence over moral clarity. Antisemitic incidents were downplayed, complaints dismissed, and responsibility deferred. 

When hatred escalated into public intimidation, vandalism and violence, the state was unprepared, not because the risk was unforeseeable, but because it was ignored. 

This failure to act sent a clear signal, that antisemitism could persist without consequence. 

In doing so, governments did not just fail the Jewish community, they weakened social cohesion and allowed hate to take root across our state. 

We must demand more from our governments. We now don’t have any other choice. 

It’s now time to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish community and use every means possible to stamp out antisemitism for good. 

The NSW Liberals and Nationals stand ready to do so. 

POGANY FAMILY

Marika, known lovingly to all as Omi, was a beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and steadfast friend , whose warmth and energy touched countless lives. Vibrant and full of life, she brought joy and energy into every room and found her greatest happiness surrounded by her adoring family. Her darling son Romy was her greatest achievement and her world.

Marika was fortunate to have the opportunity to come to Australia in 1968 from Czechoslovakia with Romy lovingly accompanied by her protector, her brother Ivan. She became an Australian citizen in 1972 where she embraced her life as an Aussie from that point on. She was very proud of her country.

She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people. Her kindness, laughter, and generosity left a lasting mark on everyone she met, and her incredible network of friends was a true reflection of the love and loyalty she inspired.

Deeply devoted to her community, she gave her time and heart in service to others, delivering meals and helping people in need, embodying love in action.

Though she is gone, her light will continue to shine brightly through the family and friends who were so blessed to have her in their lives. Forever our gorgeous Darlink.

SMYTH FAMILY

We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Adam Smyth (50), father of four children and husband to Katrina.

Adam and Katrina were walking at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening when they found themselves in the middle of the horrific and devastating attack.

We are all trying to come to terms with the senseless shooting, of which Adam was a victim.

No words can describe the pain of our loss.

Adam and Katrina were living their best lives together. Their shared love of family and friends, travel and sport – if not always the same team – made their time together truly special.

Adam’s loves in life were his English Premier League football team Liverpool, his AFL team the Sydney Swans, the NRL’s Manly Sea Eagles and his beloved pets.

We will forever cherish the time we have had with him. Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable.

You’ll never walk alone (YNWA).

GURMAN FAMILY

We are heartbroken by the sudden and senseless loss of our beloved Boris (69) and Sofia Gurman (61).

They had been married for 34 years, with their 35th wedding anniversary approaching in January. In just two days’ time, we were meant to celebrate Sofia’s birthday – a moment that now feels incredibly hard to comprehend.

Boris and Sofia were deeply devoted to their family and were well known in their community for their kindness, warmth and willingness to help others. Boris was a retired mechanic, and Sofia was working at Australia Post for the past five years. They lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone with care and respect.

We are devastated by this loss and ask for privacy as we grieve. We are deeply grateful for the love and support shown to our family during this unimaginable time.

ELKAYAM FAMILY

On the 14th of December 2025, the first night of Hanukkah, Dan was at the beach with his friends for the lighting of the Hannukah Candles. He was playing football, celebrating the holiday, and enjoying a sunny summer day at Bondi Beach.

During a mass shooting, Dan was shot in the back while trying to run away.

He was murdered because he was Jewish.

He leaves behind his partner in Australia, as well as his parents, brothers, nieces, and nephews in Paris, France, where he was born and raised. He was deeply proud of his community back home in Le Bourget.

Dan was a 27-year-old IT engineer who was working and being sponsored by NBCUniversal. He was beginning to build his future in Australia, a country he loved.

Football was one of Dan’s greatest passions. He played at the 2022 Maccabiah Games and for several teams in both France and Australia, including Waverley and Rockdale, and was in the process of signing with Dolls Point.

Dan loved life – fully and intensely. He travelled the world and was known for his gentle, kind, fun and loving nature, making friends wherever he went. Alongside football, he had a deep connection with nature. He was a certified scuba diver and an explorer at heart, always eager to discover new places, cultures, and experiences.

Dan brought light wherever he went and inspired countless people through the way he lived. His smile could light up any room. He was pure joy – a beautiful and humble soul.

To say that Dan will be missed is not enough. He was a person who truly wanted to do good in the world, to share his love of life and his sense of adventure with everyone around him.

It is now our responsibility to carry forward the light that Dan spread. He was surrounded by loved ones from all walks of life and all communities, and in times as dark as these, we all have a duty to continue spreading kindness, compassion, and joy – in his name.

TETLEROYD FAMILY

Boris was loved by everyone he met. He was well known to his neighbours, deeply connected to our wider community, and cherished by his family.

He was profoundly loved and adored by his sons Yaakov and Roman and by his wife Svetlana. He is also deeply loved by his brother, aunt, nieces, nephews, cousins and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Boris was a gentle man, a gifted musician and a valued member of his community. We honour his life and the love he so generously gave to those around him.

KLEYTMAN FAMILY

Alex Kleytman was murdered on Sunday, 14.12.2025. He was a fascinating person of many talents and an unwavering spirit. He was also very stubborn!! Born in 1938, he survived the hardships of World War II in frozen Siberia, carrying with him a lifetime of extraordinary stories of resilience, survival, and unexpected luck. He worked as a civil engineer and estimator his entire life, first in the former Soviet Union and then in Australia. He retired in Australia at 76 and worked on many essential projects at Transfield and John Holland, including the Desalination plant, the Olympic stadium, and various highways. He was very valued at his work, and we received many emails and photographs from his colleagues during these dark times.

A former colleague described Alex as, “a talented engineer by training, Alex became one of the founding members of what became John Holland Water and was an instrumental part of this business, which developed into the most successful water infrastructure delivering company in Australia.”

After he retired, he first became a lobbyist, passionately advocating against some aspects of the Sydney Light Rail. Then he found his real passion: writing books about the lives of Jewish people in the Soviet Union. He published two books: ‘Relay of Memory: Known and Unknown Jews’, and ‘Stalin’s Bloody Five-Year Plan 1948-1953’ (the latter was co-authored with my mum, Larisa). These books, grounded in thorough research, were embraced by the community and presented at many public events.

He played table tennis and chess with passion and enthusiasm throughout his life and was a school champion. He loved his wife, Larisa, with unparalleled passion, the kind you only see in the movies. He and Mum loved to dance and were quite good, winning a dancing competition at work. Alex discovered Judaism in his 50s and became observant after immigrating to Australia, where he married Larisa AGAIN on the 25th anniversary of their civil wedding, but this time according to Jewish law. Equally, he cherished Australia, the Australian way of life, the freedom, democracy, people, all of it. In his presence, no one could ever criticise anything about his beloved new home.

Alex tragically died on 14 December 2025, doing what he loved most: protecting Larisa, standing proudly as a Jew, and celebrating the Festival of Lights. The two gunmen killed him, but his memories, his legacy, and his books will bring light for generations to come. He’s survived by his wife, two children and 11 grandchildren. Loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and a passionate professional across many fields, you touched so many lives. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

On the 14th of December, Jack Hibbert was shot while fulfilling his role as a police officer at Bondi Beach.

While serving and protecting the community, Jack sustained two bullet wounds – one to his head and another to his shoulder. Jack was on duty, patrolling the Hanukkah celebration interacting with the community at Bondi Beach, when the incident first occurred.

Jack was taken to ICU where he was intubated and underwent multiple surgeries. Although miraculously surviving, Jack’s injuries have resulted in a loss of vision in one of his eyes and he now faces a long and challenging recovery ahead, with additional surgeries required.

Jack is just 22 years old and has only been in the police force for four months. Even so, in the face of a violent and tragic incident, he responded with courage, instinct, and selflessness, continuing to protect and help others whilst injured, until he was physically no longer able to.

Jack was simply doing his job – a job he deeply loves – driven by a commitment to protect the community, even at great personal cost.

Many of his colleagues who were present on the night of the incident have visited in hospital and given testaments to Jack’s bravery during the incident, describing his devotion to his community. They described how Jack acted, he moved toward people in need, not away from danger, and continued helping others while seriously injured.

The support from the police force and hospital staff has been unmatched and we are beyond grateful. We thank the wider community for their kindness, support, and prayers for Jack and our family during this difficult time.

We ask all to respect our privacy as we move through these next stages to support Jack and all his needs to a full recovery.

The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team has formally charged a 24‑year‑old man alleged to be one of two gunmen responsible for the Bondi Beach mass shooting that claimed the lives of 15 people.

About 6.40pm on Sunday 14 December 2025, emergency services were called to Bondi Beach following reports of a public place shooting.

Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command, surrounding commands, and specialist police responded and located two men using long arms to fire into crowds of people.

Multiple officers exchanged fire with the gunmen, and two officers – a constable and probationary constable – suffered gunshot wounds.

During the incident, one gunman – a 50-year-old man – was shot by police and died at the scene.

The second gunman – his 24-year-old son – suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.  

Fifteen people died during the attack, with 41 people – including four children – taken to hospital.

There are currently 20 patients continuing to receive care across several Sydney hospitals.  

Those who died are still in the process of being formally identified; however, police believe their ages range between 10 and 87.

Of the two injured officers, the constable is in a stable condition, while the probationary constable remains in a critical but stable condition.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon APM declared the incident terror related, and the investigation was referred to the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCCT) under Operation Arques.

The NSW JCTT comprises members from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.

Following extensive inquiries under Operation Arques, JCTT investigators attended a hospital today (Wednesday 17 December 2025) and charged the 24-year-old Bonnyrigg man with 59 offences, including:

• Commit terrorist act
• 15 counts of murder
• 40 counts of cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder  
• Discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm
• Cause public display of prohibited terrorist org symbol
• Place explosive in/near building with intent cause harm

He remains in hospital under police guard to face Bail Division Local Court 7 via AVL today.

Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.