Sunday 21 / December / 2025
Sydney: Australia is holding a National Day of Reflection on Sunday, one week after an antisemitic terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach left 15 people dead and dozens more wounded.
The Day of Reflection is "to honour the victims of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community," according to a statement from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's office.
"People across the country are invited to light a candle at 6:47 p.m., exactly one week since the attack unfolded, as a quiet act of remembrance with family, friends or loved ones," it added. "We are also asking Australians to observe a minute of silence at 6:47 p.m."
Australian flags at federal buildings and state government buildings in New South Wales, where Sydney is located, are being flown at half-mast.
Mourners gathered at Bondi Beach and formed a circle of peace, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.
At 6:47 p.m., the nation observed a minute of silence in flickering candlelight.
Sunday is the last day of Hanukkah, with Rabbi Eli Feldman telling ABC that Australians are welcome to observe the holiday with the Jewish community at Bondi Beach "to show that light will always overcome darkness."
What were the circumstances of the attack and who were the perpetrators?
The Bondi Beach shooting targeted worshippers during the first day of Hanukkah last Sunday.
A father and son, Sajid A. and Naveed A., are alleged to have carried out the attack, with authorities believing the massacre was "motivated by IS ideology." The attackers are believed to have traveled to the southern Philippine region of Mindanao, a hotbed of "IS" operations, in November prior to the Bondi shooting.
Sajid A., 50, was killed in a shootout with police during the Bondi attack. Naveed A., 24, was injured but survived and now faces 59 charges for his presumed role in the attack.
Albanese ordered review into police and intelligence services
The Bondi Beach shooting was the worst terror attack in Australia's history and the deadliest shooting since 1996.
The shooting targeting Sydney's Jewish community has led to accusations that the Albanese government has not done enough to tackle rising antisemitism.
Albanese on Sunday mandated a review into Australia's police and intelligence services to analyze whether they have the "right powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe" in the wake of the attack.
The Albanese government is also expected to ramp up anti-hate speech efforts and launch a gun buyback plan after the shooting.
