Australia marked one week since the Bondi Beach shooting on Saturday, with 15 people killed and dozens wounded. A large memorial vigil was held at Bondi Beach that night, where a minute of silence was observed for the murdered victims and survivors. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was met with boos from parts of the crowd, while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns received loud applause, according to Reuters.
In his remarks, Minns said, "Bondi is beautiful tonight – and not because of its beaches. It is beautiful because you, in your thousands, came back here just seven days after a horrific crime and made it clear to the terrorists that we are not going anywhere. The crime was meant to frighten and scatter, but you have stood against these attempts at intimidation for thousands of years. Tonight, on the last night of Hanukkah, you have returned Bondi Beach to all of us."
The boos continued even as New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip introduced the political leadership present, including the prime minister, his wife Jodie Haydon, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. This came against the backdrop of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's refusal to establish a Royal Commission (a high-level government inquiry with broad investigative powers) to investigate the deadly shooting. Instead, the Australian prime minister chose to establish a more limited inquiry led by the Prime Minister's Office and the the Cabinet Office, which has sparked fury among the Jewish community.
The Australian government and the government of New South Wales state, where Sydney is located, declared today a "National Day of Reflection" following the massacre, which was the deadliest mass shooting in the country in 30 years.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon announced that police presence would be increased in the area, and that heavily armed officers would patrol the beach and its surroundings as part of Operation Shelter. He said this was not an elevation of the security alert level, but rather a step designed to ensure public safety and public confidence. Lanyon emphasized that police were aware of the depth of the trauma caused by the tragedy to Jewish families and the broader community, and that its purpose was to enable the public to gather, honor the memory of the victims, and support each other without fear. Indeed, many police officers were observed, and snipers from security forces were even seen on rooftops near the location.
Additional tension was recorded at the emotional event after a pro-Palestinian activist was removed from the location with police escort. The man, who wore a keffiyeh, arrived at the memorial vigil area where he encountered condemnation from mourners who said, "Why are you here?" and "You are not welcome here." New South Wales police officers approached him and spoke with him. According to reports, the man was heard asking the officers, "Why must I remove this?" and added, "I came on a day of reflection to reflect." Police confirmed that they ordered him to leave the area, and that he ultimately complied.
The Bondi Beach attack occurred shortly before 7:00 p.m. last Sunday, when Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid, 50, opened fire during the first night of Hanukkah celebrations. At least 15 people were killed in the attack, and approximately 40 others were wounded. Among the victims was 10-year-old Matilda, who was laid to rest this week. The father was shot and killed at the scene, while the son was arrested and charged with an indictment containing 59 counts, including 15 counts of murder.
Authorities said that if convicted, Naveed Akram faces imprisonment in Australia's most secure prison. Before being transferred to the Supermax facility, he will be moved from the hospital to the Silverwater Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre (a holding facility for newly arrested prisoners), which serves as the first mandatory station in New South Wales' incarceration system. During this period, he will be held in strict isolation until his security classification is determined. Given the severity of the acts attributed to him, he may be classified as an Extreme High Risk Restricted (EHRR) prisoner or as a National Security Interest (NSI) detainee.
The New South Wales Corrective Services has previously made clear that the Supermax prison is the only facility in the state designed to incarcerate "the most dangerous of the dangerous." The prison, designed as a modern fortress, includes reinforced steel doors, corridors with advanced isolation mechanisms, and outdoor areas enclosed with exceptionally strong steel mesh. Since its establishment, no escape has been recorded, and all its zones are under constant surveillance.
