Australia Sets National Day of Mourning for Bondi Attack Victims

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Thursday that Australia will observe a National Day of Mourning on January 22 for the victims of the deadly terror attack at Bondi Beach. The gathering, themed around the idea that light will prevail, aims to foster unity and remembrance following the shooting that killed 15 people, most of them members of the Jewish community.

The attack occurred on December 14, 2025, during a public Chanukah celebration known as Chanukah by the Sea along the popular Sydney shoreline. Two men, Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly opened fire on the crowd. Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram was wounded by an off-duty New South Wales police officer and later arrested. He faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and committing a terrorist act.

Albanese made the announcement after consultations with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Rabbi Yoram Ulman, the spiritual leader of Bondi's Chabad community. "This will have a theme of light will win, a gathering of unity and remembrance, which has been determined by the rabbi," Albanese said. He praised Ulman for demonstrating "extraordinary...