Australia on Wednesday held the first funeral service for victims of the deadly Bondi Beach mass shooting, as mourners gathered in large numbers to honour a rabbi killed in the attack that has shaken the nation and its Jewish community.
The service took place at the Chabad of Bondi Synagogue, where family members, community leaders and residents came together to grieve Eli Schlanger, a father of five and widely known as the “Bondi rabbi.” He was the first victim laid to rest following the attack, which claimed 15 lives and left dozens injured.
The shooting occurred on Sunday evening, when Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram opened fire on a Jewish festival at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach. Among those killed were a 10-year-old child, two Holocaust survivors, and a married couple who attempted to stop the gunmen.
‘The Very Best of Us’
As Schlanger’s black coffin was carried into the synagogue, mourners wept openly. Some clutched one another in grief, while others draped themselves over the casket, overcome with emotion.
“Anyone who knew him knew he represented the very best of us,” said Alex Ryvchin, a prominent Jewish community leader, addressing the gathering before the service.
According to the Chabad movement, Schlanger served as a chaplain in prisons and hospitals, dedicating his life to community service and pastoral care. Chabad, which represents a branch of Hasidic Judaism, had organised the Jewish festival that was targeted in the attack.
The synagogue was scheduled to hold a second funeral later in the day for Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39, also killed in the shooting. Levitan, a father of four, was known for his extensive charitable work, the movement said.
Tight Security and National Mourning
Police deployed in large numbers around the synagogue, managing crowds and maintaining heightened security as mourners paid their respects. The atmosphere was solemn, with grief extending well beyond the Jewish community.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the pain felt nationwide, calling the day particularly difficult.
“My heart goes out to the community today and every day,” he told a local radio station. “But today will be especially hard, with the first funerals underway.”
Authorities said the attack appeared designed to spread fear among Jewish Australians, prompting renewed concerns about antisemitism and domestic security.
Motive and Missed Warnings
Mr. Albanese said investigators believe the father-and-son attackers were radicalised by what he described as an “ideology of hate.”
“It would appear that this attack was inspired by Islamic State ideology,” he told national broadcaster ABC earlier this week.
Questions are now emerging over whether authorities could have intervened earlier. Naveed Akram had reportedly come to the attention of Australia’s intelligence agencies in 2019, but officials said he was not assessed as posing an imminent threat at the time.
Investigators are also examining whether the pair met Islamist extremists during a visit to the Philippines weeks before the attack. Immigration authorities in Manila confirmed that the two men spent most of November in the country, with their final destination listed as Davao, a region with a history of Islamist insurgency.
Ten Minutes of Terror
Police said the gunmen carried long-barrelled firearms and fired along the Bondi beachfront for about 10 minutes before officers confronted them. During the exchange, police shot and killed Sajid Akram, 50.
His son Naveed was also shot and taken to hospital, where he remained under police guard. Australian media reported that he emerged from a coma late Tuesday night.
Acts of Courage Amid Chaos
Dashcam footage that surfaced after the attack showed extraordinary acts of bravery by victims who attempted to stop the gunmen.
The video captured Boris Gurman, a 69-year-old retired mechanic, tackling one of the attackers and briefly wresting control of his weapon. His wife, Sofia Gurman, 61, ran towards him to help.
The attacker reportedly retrieved another firearm and shot the couple, killing them both.
“While nothing can ease the pain of losing Boris and Sofia, we feel immense pride in their courage and selflessness,” the Gurman family said in a statement.
Gun Laws Under Scrutiny
Australia’s leaders have agreed to review and tighten gun laws that allowed Sajid Akram to legally own six firearms.
Mass shootings have been rare in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which led to some of the world’s strictest gun control measures, including a nationwide buyback programme and bans on semi-automatic weapons.
However, recent data shows a steady rise in privately owned firearms, reigniting debate over enforcement and licensing standards.
Global Reaction and Antisemitism Concerns
The attack has also revived criticism that Australia has not done enough to counter antisemitism.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video address, urged Western governments to take stronger action.
“I demand that governments do what is necessary to fight antisemitism and provide safety for Jewish communities worldwide,” he said. “They must act now.”
As Australia mourns its dead, the country faces renewed scrutiny over extremism, gun access, and the protection of vulnerable communities.
