After a two week stint in Australia, Oprah Winfrey has issued a heartfelt message following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on 14 December. According to Mal Lanyon, Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Force, at least 15 people have died in the attack, which occurred during an event held to mark the start of Hanukkah. Two police officers have also been hurt.
“I just spent the last 2 weeks in Australia, walking Bondi just days ago feeling the openness and ease that lives there,” the former talk show host wrote on Instagram.
“It’s hard to reconcile that sense of peace with the terror of last night. My heart breaks for the victims, their families and loved ones, and all you Aussies,” she added.
The Bondi Beach attack
On Sunday 14 December, it was confirmed that at least 15 people had been killed in a shooting at a Chanukah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach. Over 1,000 people were in attendance when two men fired at the crowds.
Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, 50, allegedly opened fire and killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old child.
Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, a fruit shop owner and father-of-two, bravely stepped in to wrestle the gun off one of the attackers.
© dpa/picture alliance via Getty IThe hero was praised by President Donald Trump for his act. “It’s been a very, very brave person, actually, who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives,” Trump said.
“So very brave person who’s right now in the hospital, pretty seriously wounded. So a great respect to that man who did that.”
One of the gunmen was killed during the attack, while the second is confirmed to be in custody. Dozens have also been injured, including two police officers who were hospitalised.
© Getty ImagesCalling the terrorist attack an “act of evil antisemitism”, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated by this attack on our way of life.”
What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated across across eight days, which commemorates a battle won against the Greeks more than 2,000 years ago.
This year, Hanukkah, which is also referred to as the Festival of Lights and Chanukah, will be observed from 14-22 December. The word ‘Hanukkah’ itself means ‘dedication’ in Hebrew. Traditionally, families and friends come together, marking the occasion with food, prayers, gifts and the lighting of the menorah. mp
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