NEWCASTLE, Australia — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans Thursday for a national bravery award to recognize civilians and first responders who confronted \u201cthe worst of evil\u201d during an antisemitic terror attack that left 15 dead and has cast a heavy shadow over the nation\u2019s holiday season. <\/p>\n
Albanese said he plans to establish a special honors system for those who placed themselves in harms way to help during the attack on a beachside Hanukkah<\/a> celebration, like Ahmed al Ahmed<\/a>, a Syrian-Australian Muslim who disarmed one of the assailants before being wounded himself.<\/p>\n Sajid Akram, who was killed by police during the Dec. 14 attack, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram are accused of perpetrating Australia\u2019s worst massacre<\/a> since 1996.<\/p>\n Speaking at a press conference after a Christmas Day lunch at a charitable foundation in Sydney, Albanese described a Christmas defined by a sharp contrast between extremist violence and the \u201cbest of humanity.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cThis Christmas is a different one because of the anti-terror and the terrorist attack motivated by ISIS and antisemitism,\u201d Albanese said. \u201cBut at the same time as we have seen the worst of humanity, we have seen the bravery and kindness and compassion … from those who rushed to danger.\u201d<\/p>\n The proposed honors would recognize those who are nominated and recommended for bravery or meritorious awards under the existing Australian Honors and Awards system for their actions during and after the attack.<\/p>\n Just a day after pushing through the country’s toughest firearm laws, New South Wales state leader Chris Minns issued a plea for national solidarity, urging Australians to support their Jewish neighbors during what he described as a fortnight of \u201cheartbreak and pain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody in Australia needs to wrap their arms around them and lift them up,\u201d Minns said at the same press conference Thursday. \u201cI want them to know that Australians have got their back. We\u2019re in their corner and we\u2019re going to help them get through this.\u201d<\/p>\n