National day of mourning to be held to honour victims of Bondi Beach terror attack

A day of reflection will take place this Sunday, while a national day of mourning will be held in the new year, the prime minister announced.

Mourners attend a vigil at a memorial in Bondi Beach, Sydney

The federal government said it was working closely with the Jewish community on arrangements for the national day of mourning, with a date yet to be confirmed. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

The victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack will be honoured with a national day of mourning in the new year.

A separate day of reflection will be held this Sunday, marking one week since the massacre that claimed 15 lives.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced both commemorations on Friday.

"On Sunday, flags on all NSW and Australian government buildings will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the lives lost and the grief shared across our nation," he said.

"We invite people across Australia to light a candle at 6.47pm — exactly one week since the attack unfolded — as a quiet act of remembrance, with family, friends or loved ones."
The federal government said it was working closely with the Jewish community on arrangements for the national day of mourning, with a date yet to be confirmed.

Bondi paddle-out

Earlier, hundreds of people came together in Bondi at an early-morning paddle-out to pay tribute to the victims of the terror attack on Sunday.

An estimated 700 people on boards formed a large circle in the water off North Bondi, while hundreds more watched from the beach and boardwalk.

The event started at 6.30am on Friday, with people gathering in front of the North Bondi Surf Club.

"In this time of darkness, let's spread light, love and compassion through our shared love of the ocean and our beautiful Bondi Beach," an online flyer for the event read.
People paddling out in the water at Bondi Beach.
Surfers and swimmers formed a ring during a paddle out at Bondi Beach on Friday morning. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
"Come together to honour the lives lost, pray for those on the journey to recovery and express gratitude to our brave first responders."

It said all people were welcome, and "diversity is our strength".

Rabbi Yosef Eichenblatt of the Central Synagogue told ABC News the tributes had been "so therapeutic" for the Jewish community.
Large crowd gathered on the beach, many carrying boards.
The Bondi community turned out in droves to show support. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
"Over the past two years, there's been a lot of people who have been questioning whether we're still welcome here in Australia because we saw people calling for our death on the streets on a weekly basis," he said.

"So it's been so heart-warming to see the outpouring of love and support."
Large crowds of people on Bondi Beach, with many entering the water on boards.
More than 700 people were estimated to have entered the water on boards. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Local community members have organised multiple water tributes this week to honour those impacted by the attack, which claimed 15 lives and targeted an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah.

On Wednesday morning, members of swimming clubs came together for a similar paddle-out.
One of the two alleged gunmen, Sajid Akram, also died after he was shot by police.

His son, Naveed Akram, has been hospitalised with serious injuries. After waking from a coma, he was charged with 59 offences on Wednesday over his alleged role in the attack.

The charges include 15 counts of murder — one per victim — one count of committing a terrorist act, and 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder.

Police said they found homemade flags representing the self-proclaimed Islamic State group in the vehicle used by the gunmen.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley spoke from Bondi Beach ahead of the paddle-out, reiterating her call for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to "urgently" recall parliament next week to introduce legislation in response to the violence.

"Of course, we will work with the government, but what they have proposed is too little, too late, and too long" she said, speaking to Channel Seven.

"The proposals, the measures that we have put forward are what this community is crying out for," she continued.

"Stripping citizenship from extremists and hate preachers. My message is, if you preach hatred, if you preach radical Islam in a way that hurts and harms your fellow man and woman, if you incite violence, if you glorify terrorism, if you are not an Australian citizen, you will be deported. If you are an Australian citizen, you will be arrested."

Albanese announced plans for new legislation on Thursday to combat antisemitism, including measures that would strengthen laws targeting hate speech and give the government new powers to cancel and reject visas for those who spread it.

The prime minister also announced a 12-month task force that would work to address and prevent antisemitism through the education system.

He said he would fully adopt a report on combating antisemitism delivered by antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal.

Albanese has faced backlash from some members of the Jewish community for failing to enact the recommendations of the report sooner.


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By Josie Harvey

Source: SBS News



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