Terrorism Declared as Attack on Sydney Hanukkah Celebration Leaves 11 Dead
Sydney, Sunday, 14 December 2025.
Australian police seized improvised explosive devices after gunmen killed 11 attendees at a “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration, confirming the tragedy as a calculated act of antisemitic terrorism.
Coordinated Attack on Hanukkah Celebration
The assault commenced at approximately 18:47 on Sunday, 14 December 2025, at Archer Park, located near the Bondi Pavilion where the ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ event was underway [1]. New South Wales Police confirmed that at least 12 individuals are dead, a figure that includes 11 victims and one of the perpetrators [1][2]. The violence resulted in significant collateral casualties, with 29 people injured, including two police officers who responded to the active shooter situation [1]. The timing of the attack, coinciding with the first day of Hanukkah, was a critical factor in Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon’s assessment of the incident [1]. Authorities have formally designated the shooting as a terrorist act, citing the specific targeting of the Jewish community and the nature of the weaponry employed [1][4].
Tactical Response and Suspect Identification
The complexity of the attack suggests a high degree of premeditation, evidenced by the discovery of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the scene. Police located an IED in a vehicle linked to the deceased offender, which was successfully removed and neutralized by approximately 23:00 [1]. One of the gunmen has been identified as Naveed Akram from the suburb of Bonnyrigg [1]. Following this identification, tactical teams executed a raid on Akram’s home in Bonnyrigg later that evening [1]. While one shooter was neutralized by police, a second suspect was arrested and remains in critical condition under police guard [1][2]. Intelligence sources indicate that one of the gunmen was previously known to security services, though not deemed an immediate threat prior to the incident [2][3].
Casualties and Community Impact
The attack has devastated the local and international Jewish community, claiming the life of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41-year-old British-born rabbi and father of five [3]. Rabbi Schlanger, who served as an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, was a key organizer of the event and had recently welcomed a new son in October 2025 [3]. The incident has prompted New South Wales Police to authorize special powers to prevent further activity, amid investigations into the potential involvement of a third offender [1][3]. The uncertainty regarding additional accomplices [alert! ‘police authorized special powers to ensure prevention if a third offender exists’] underscores the volatile nature of the ongoing security operation [1].
National and International Condemnation
Political leaders have been swift to classify the atrocity as an act of hate-fueled terrorism. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as an “act of evil antisemitism” that struck at the nation’s heart [2][4]. Similarly, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns emphasized that the violence was explicitly designed to target the Jewish community during an ancient holiday [1][5]. The condemnation extended globally, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog denouncing the “vile terrorists” who attacked families lighting the first Hanukkah candle [4], and King Charles III expressing deep shock at the “dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack” [3]. This tragedy occurs against a backdrop of rising tension; Australia, home to a Jewish population of approximately 117,000, has witnessed a surge in antisemitic incidents since October 2023 [2].