Australia Police: Attackers in Sydney were father and son
Following the attack on a Jewish festival in Sydney, Australia, investigators have identified the two attackers as father and son. This was announced by the police at a press conference. The 50-year-old father was shot dead by emergency services at the scene. The 24-year-old son was caught and taken to hospital with serious injuries. The police do not believe that other perpetrators were involved at the scene.
14.12.2025, 22:12
SDA
According to the authorities, the attack was specifically directed against Jewish people. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as a "vicious act of anti-Semitism" and terror. Police have now put the death toll at 16. 14 people died at the scene of the crime, the popular Bondi Beach. A 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man later died in hospital. It is already early Monday morning in Australia when the police come out with the new information.
Attackers surprise families celebrating
Many families had gathered at Bondi Beach to celebrate Hanukkah. It was the first day of the eight-day Jewish festival of lights. According to police, more than 1,000 people were present when the two perpetrators opened fire with long guns. Three firearms were seized, the police said. Investigators also found improvised explosive devices in a car that was assigned to one of the perpetrators.
When asked whether the shooters were known to the authorities before the attack, the head of the New South Wales Police, Mal Lanyon, said shortly after the attack that there was little information available about one of the perpetrators. The person was known to the authorities, but according to initial findings did not pose a specific threat. The investigation is still ongoing. According to the police, the 50-year-old perpetrator had a license for the six firearms he possessed.
According to the police, the deceased were between 10 and 87 years old. One of the dead was French, another Israeli. Apart from this, little is known about the victims. However, they have yet to be officially identified, the police said.
Israel makes serious accusations against Australia
Heads of state and government around the world expressed their condolences. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the anti-Semitic attack left him stunned. "My thoughts are with the victims and their families," the CDU politician wrote on X. "This is an attack on our common values. We must put a stop to this anti-Semitism - here in Germany and worldwide."
In Israel in particular, there was great shock following the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Australia of failing to take decisive action against anti-Semitism. He had already warned Australia's Prime Minister in a letter four months ago "that the Australian government's policy promotes and encourages anti-Semitism in Australia", Netanyahu said.
Australia and other leading states had formally recognized a state of Palestine this year in the wake of the devastating Gaza war. Netanyahu accused Albanese of adding "fuel to the anti-Semitic fire". The Jewish organization Australian Jewish Association also raised accusations on X: "How many times have we warned the government? Not once did we feel they listened."
Israel's President Izchak Herzog called on Australia to do more to protect the Jewish community.
Were there failures?
Prime Minister Albanese said at a press conference: "We will stand with the Jewish community." He rejected questions from journalists as to whether his country was doing enough to combat growing anti-Semitism. Australia is taking the issue seriously, Albanese said.
However, possible failings on the part of the security authorities are likely to come into focus following the attack. Security precautions were in place at the event on Bondi Beach, including police patrols, it was reported. The police announced an increased presence at synagogues.
Since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023, a global wave of anti-Semitism has been observed, including attacks on Jews and synagogues, in which criticism of Israel sometimes turns into hatred of Jews.
In December 2024, there was an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne. The place of worship went up in flames. Albanese spoke of an anti-Semitically motivated outrage that put people's lives at risk.
The attack and a courageous hero
Videos on social media show dramatic scenes at the scene. One shows a gunman firing from a nearby bridge. The videos also show people fleeing the scene in panic.
In another video, a passer-by can be seen surprising and disarming one of the two shooters during the attack. The man first jumps on the attacker's back from behind. After a brief scuffle, he takes the gun from him. The suspected perpetrator, who had previously been shooting around, escapes with a limp. The passer-by is celebrated as a "hero" in the Australian media. US President Donald Trump also praised the man's courage. He had saved the lives of many people.
What is Hanukkah?
With the Festival of Lights, Jews commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BC. This took place after the Maccabees had successfully ended the uprising against Hellenistic-Syrian rule. The temple had previously been desecrated and the victory was seen as a restoration of religious freedom. According to tradition, the consecrated oil for the temple candle miraculously lasted for eight days, which is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days.
During these eight days, another candle is lit on the Hanukkah candelabra every evening, so that the light increases from day to day and is a reminder of the ongoing miracle. The festival is accompanied by traditional dishes that are fried in oil as a reminder of the miraculous oil. Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot, doughnuts filled with jam, are particularly popular.
