British rabbi among those killed in attack
London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger has been named as one of the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
The father-of-five, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family members of Kinloss synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News.
The 41-year-old and his wife, Chayala, celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago.
His first cousin, Brighton-based Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told Jewish News: “How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?
“We can only respond by doing what Eli would have wanted, what he dedicated his life to – doing more mitzvot (good deeds) and to keep spreading positive energy.”
Athena Stavrou14 December 2025 15:11
King ‘appalled and saddened’ by ‘most dreadful’ attack
The King has said he and the Queen are “appalled and saddened” by the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in a statement.
Charles paid tribute to police, emergency services and “heroic” members of the public, as he said the “the light at the heart of the Chanukah Festival” will always “triumph over the darkness of such evil”.
“My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach,” he wrote.
“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy.
“In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia – and the light at the heart of the Chanukah Festival – will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.”
Athena Stavrou14 December 2025 15:00
Two men alleged to be shooters pictured by media
Two men who are alleged to be the gunmen in the mass shooting at Bondi beach have been pictured by media.
In images and videos shown on Sky News, the alleged shooters appear to be holding guns.
Two men who are alleged to be the gunmen in the mass shooting at Bondi beach have been pictured by media (Sky News)
Tara Cobham14 December 2025 14:48
Israeli citizen among those killed, Israeli foreign ministry says
An Israeli citizen was among those killed in the Bondi beach shooting attack, the Israeli foreign ministry has said.
Tara Cobham14 December 2025 14:35
Girl, 12, and rabbi among dead, senior figure in Jewish community tells CNN
A 12-year-old girl and a rabbi are among those killed in the mass shooting at Bondi beach, a senior figure within the Jewish community has told CNN.
Alexander Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told the broadcaster: “I know everyone who was there (at the Hanukkah celebration). That’s an event where I attend with my family every single year,” adding that he only did not this year due to diary conflicts.
Ryvchin told the broadcaster that a rabbi is among the dead, describing him as “one of the kindest and most beautiful human beings I’ve ever known”.
He also told CNN that one of his friends “lost his 12-year-old daughter, who succumbed to her wounds in hospital”.
“We’re a very close knit community, and this event is kind of the gem of our year. It’s something we look forward to every year,” he said.
“The fact that it’s turned into a blood bath, the fact that people plotted, acquired weapons, came there knowing that there would be children there, that there would be elderly people, families, defenseless people, just gathered there in peace, and they slaughtered them in cold blood. This is something that will transform our country.”
Tara Cobham14 December 2025 14:32
‘Jews gathering to celebrate life have yet again been met by death meted out by evil terrorists’
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Jews gathering to celebrate life have yet again been met by death meted out by evil terrorists. We pray for the families of those who have been taken from us in Australia, and for the recovery of those fighting for their lives.
“When people call to ‘globalise the intifada’, this is what they are calling for: dead Jews, terrorism and families shattered forever.
“As the horrific news broke, we were immediately reminded of one atrocity after another, from the Yom Kippur attack in Manchester to the Simchat Torah attack on October 7 in Israel.
“For many Jews, this is increasingly what the world feels like – a place where we are either being vilified, or slaughtered, or sent thoughts and prayers, but never protected.
“The West must stand unequivocally against the evil ideology that wrought this massacre, not just in word but in deed. The guns that today slaughter Jews will tomorrow turn on others.”
Police cordon off an area at Bondi Beach after the shooting (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Tara Cobham14 December 2025 14:26
Briton ‘saw people being shot down’ outside his window
A Briton has said he was in his apartment when he heard what he thought were fireworks going off – before seeing people being shot down outside his window.
When he went to his window to see what was going on, Fin Green told the BBC he saw a man “letting shots off” from on top of a white car.
Mr Green told the broadcaster he saw people “running and screaming”, sprinting towards his building to take shelter.
He said he quickly shut his blinds and rushed to hide in his wardrobe.
Tara Cobham14 December 2025 14:09
Eyewitness describes hearing ‘bunch of pops’ while walking to go surfing with friends
An eyewitness has described “a bunch of pops” as he was walking to meet friends to go surfing.
Nico, who is from the US but has lived in Bondi for half a year, told the BBC he then saw people running and his reaction was: “Just run.”
He said the shots “felt really close” and it felt like they were firing for an “eternity”.
Tara Cobham14 December 2025 14:02
Survivor of Hamas’ 7 October attack reportedly among those injured in Bondi beach shooting
A man who survived Hamas’ 7 October attack in Israel is reportedly among those injured in the mass shooting at Bondi beach.
Describing the attack as “a bloodbath, it was an absolute massacre”, he told Australian outlet 9News: “I was here with my family, it was a Hanukkah celebration, there were hundreds of people, there were children, there were elderly, families enjoying themselves.”
Tara Cobham14 December 2025 13:58
Ex-England cricket captain Vaughan ‘took shelter in Bondi restaurant’ during attack
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has said he was among the people who fled Bondi beach during the mass shooting.
Vaughan, who is in Australia covering the ongoing Ashes series, said in a post on social media: “Being locked in a restaurant in Bondi was scary. Now home safe.
“But thanks so much to the emergency services and the guy who confronted the terrorist.
“Thoughts with all who have been affected.”
Tara Cobham14 December 2025 13:55