PM Albanese Confronted by Angry Crowd After Hanukkah Shooting

SYDNEY : Tens of thousands of Australians gathered at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening to observe a minute of silence exactly one week after the nation’s deadliest antisemitic attack. The memorial, held at 6:47 PM (18:47 local time), marked the moment two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah festival, killing 15 people and wounding dozens more.

The atmosphere turned volatile upon the arrival of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Accompanied by his wife, Jodie Haydon, the Prime Minister was met with a chorus of boos and cries of “Shame!” and “Blood on your hands!”

The hostility reflects a deep-seated anger within the Jewish community over what many perceive as a failure to combat rising antisemitism. The Prime Minister, wearing a traditional kippah, remained seated as speakers addressed the crowd under heavy guard from armed riot police and offshore patrol boats.

Among the most moving moments was the appearance of 14-year-old Chaya Dadon. Known as the “Hero of Bondi,” Chaya was shot in the leg while shielding two younger children from the gunmen. Taking the stage on crutches, she delivered a message of resilience: “Be the light in that field of darkness.”

The ceremony included a tribute to the youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda Bee Britvan, with yellow “bee” balloons released into the sunset. Other victims honored included British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger and 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman.

The night concluded with the lighting of a giant Menorah—the very act that was violently interrupted during the initial attack seven days ago.