TRANSCRIPT
- Tributes for those killed in Bondi Beach mass shooting
- Calls for more action to target antisemitism
- Port Adelaide's Zak Butters returns from injury for the pre-season
At least 15 people and a gunman are dead, following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach.
Two shooters targeted a Jewish community gathering marking Hanukkah at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
42 people were hospitalised overnight, with the ages of those injured ranging from 10 to 87.
Those killed include Rabbi Eli Schlanger and French national Dan Elkayam.
Police say the shooters were a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son.
The older man, a licensed gun owner, is dead, while his son is in a critical but stable condition under police guard in hospital.
Officers have recovered six licensed firearms, raided two Sydney homes, and removed two improvised explosive devices.
The shooting has been declared a terrorist attack, authorising the use of special police powers as part of the investigation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the attack pure evil.
"What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of anti semitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location, Bondi Beach, that is associated with joy, associated with families gathering, associated with celebrations, and it is forever tarnished by what has occurred last evening."
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says law reform is now likely.
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Lynda Ben Menashe is the President of the National Council of Jewish Women in Australia.
She says it is appalling that the attackers targeted people attending a Hanukkah celebration.
She told SBS Hebrew she wants to see more done to tackle hate speech and antisemitism.
"If you can't go to Bondi Beach as an Australian or a tourist or a Sikh or a Hindu or a Jew or a Muslim, and not get shot by a terrorist - there is something seriously, seriously wrong. So action in every direction, including the policing of hate speech and serious consequences for it. And education around the notion that we are all Australians. What does happen to one community is a reflection of the health of that society."
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World leaders have responded to news of the Bondi Beach attack, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying all governments must do more to counter antisemitism.
He says he sent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a letter four months ago warning him to be careful to ensure that Australian government policies do not encourage antisemitism in Australia.
Mr Netanyahu also praised the actions of a Muslim man - Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner - who was filmed disarming one of the gunmen.
"We saw an action of a brave man, turns out a Muslim brave man, and I salute him that stopped one of these terrorists from killing innocent Jews. But it requires the action of your government, which you are not taking. And you have to, because history will not forgive hesitation and weakness. It will honour action and strength. That's what Israel expects of each of your governments in the West and elsewhere."
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United States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff says "a lot of progress" has been made in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a proposal to end the war with Russia.
A meeting has taken place in Berlin between Mr Zelenskyy and a U-S delegation, including Mr Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Mr Witkoff says discussions took place over five hours and will resume again in the coming 24 hours.
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In the AFL, Port Adelaide gun Zak Butters insists he's not thinking about the free agency call looming over his 2026 season - yet.
But the midfielder is confident Port can fire some shots under new coach Josh Carr.
The 25-year-old Victorian is out of contract at the end of 2026.
Power vice-captain Butters had a late start to pre-season due to a minor groin operation.
He says coming back from injury and ramping up his training has been his priority.
