Australia Holds First Funeral for Bondi Beach Attack Victims; Rabbi Laid to Rest

By: The Trek News Desk

Australia on Wednesday held the first funeral for those killed in the deadly Bondi Beach mass shooting, as thousands gathered in Sydney’s Bondi area to mourn Rabbi Eli Schlanger, one of the prominent victims of the attack.

The deadly incident unfolded on Sunday evening during a Jewish cultural event at Bondi Beach, when Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, opened fire on the crowd. The attack claimed the lives of 15 people and left dozens injured. Among the victims were a 10-year-old child, two Holocaust survivors, and a married couple who lost their lives while attempting to stop the gunmen.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a father of five widely known as the “Bondi Rabbi,” was the first victim to be laid to rest. His funeral was held at the Chabad of Bondi Synagogue. According to the Chabad movement, Rabbi Schlanger also served as a chaplain, providing spiritual support in hospitals and correctional facilities.

The atmosphere inside the synagogue was filled with grief as his body arrived in a black coffin. Family members, friends, and members of the Jewish community were seen in tears. Jewish community leader Alex Ryvchin paid tribute, describing Rabbi Schlanger as a person who represented the very best values of the community.

Later in the day, the same synagogue is scheduled to host the funeral of 39-year-old Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, a father of four known for his charitable and humanitarian efforts.

Security around the synagogue was significantly tightened, with heavy police deployment in the surrounding streets to manage the large crowds paying their respects.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed solidarity with the grieving community, saying the day would be especially painful as the first funerals began. “The nation stands with the families and the community in this moment of profound sorrow,” he said.

Plot to Spread Fear

Australian authorities have stated that the attack was intended to spread fear within the Jewish community. Prime Minister Albanese confirmed that the attackers appeared to be driven by an ideology of hatred, with early findings suggesting links to extremist beliefs inspired by Islamic State ideology.

Questions have also emerged over whether the attack could have been prevented. Reports indicate that Naveed Akram had come to the attention of intelligence agencies in 2019, though he was not considered an immediate threat at the time.

Police are investigating whether the father and son had contact with extremist groups during a recent trip to the Philippines. Immigration records show they spent most of November there, with their final destination listed as Davao, a region historically associated with militant activity.

During the attack, the gunmen fired for nearly 10 minutes along the Bondi beachfront before police fatally shot 50-year-old Sajid Akram. His son, Naveed, aged 24, was seriously injured and remains hospitalised under police guard. Local media reported that he has recently regained consciousness.

A Couple Remembered for Courage

Dashcam footage that surfaced after the attack shows retired mechanic Boris Gurman and his wife, Sofia Gurman, attempting to stop one of the attackers. Boris managed to knock the gunman to the ground and briefly seize his weapon, but the assailant retrieved another firearm. Both Boris, 69, and Sofia, 61, were shot and killed.

In a statement, the Gurman family said that while their loss is immeasurable, they take pride in the couple’s extraordinary bravery and selflessness.

In response to the tragedy, Australian leaders have agreed to review and tighten firearm regulations that allowed Sajid Akram to legally own multiple weapons. Although mass shootings have been rare in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, authorities have noted a steady rise in privately owned firearms in recent years.

The attack has also reignited concerns over rising antisemitism in the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Western governments to take decisive action to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities worldwide.

Source: News Agencies