Donations have surged past A$1.3 million (£645,000) for Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Muslim father-of-two who tackled one of the gunmen during the Bondi terrorist attack. The GoFundMe page, launched less than 24 hours ago, reflects widespread admiration for his bravery. Ahmed remains in hospital recovering from surgery after being shot twice by a second attacker.
State and federal leaders have praised Ahmed's actions. The state premier visited him in hospital, calling his courage extraordinary. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Ahmed as 'running towards danger, putting his own life at risk' and embodying 'the best of humanity'. Ahmed's father told the ABC his son, a former police officer, was driven by conscience to disarm the terrorist.
Vigils were held across Sydney, including an Aboriginal-led healing event in Hyde Park. Organised by Bundjalung woman Vanessa Turnbull Roberts and the Jewish Council, speakers included Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins and Imam Bilal Rauf, who embraced after their remarks. Activist Lizzi Jarrett urged the public not to let fear or hate prevail, directing anger only at the two perpetrators.
The attack, which occurred on the first night of Hanukkah, killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl, a local rabbi, and a Holocaust survivor. Twenty-seven remain hospitalised. The alleged perpetrators, a father-and-son duo with extremist links, had Islamic State flags found in their car, according to reports. Prime Minister Albanese has pledged to tighten gun laws, noting that licences should not be perpetual.
Community leaders have called for unity, but some Jewish leaders argue the attack was foreseeable and authorities failed to address rising hate. Australia enacted an anti-Semitism strategy earlier this year amid the Gaza conflict, but critics, including Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, say it has fallen short. Albanese denied this and vowed to 'stamp out antisemitism'.
