Bondi Beach terrorist attack live updates: Boris and Sofia Gurman revealed as couple who tried to stop shooter

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says anti-Semitic terrorists will not be successful in dividing Australia.

“My message to Jewish Australians is that we stand with you as a nation,” the Prime Minister said.

“We embrace you at what is a terrible time.

“These anti-Semitic terrorist attacks will not be successful with their objective, which is to divide us as a nation.

“We will continue to come together as a nation and to embrace each other.”

NSW Premier says the Government is taking a “multifaceted” approach to the horrific Bondi shooting to combat terrorism, antisemitism and gun reform, promising to deliver legislation that will see the “toughest” laws in Australia.

“I’m determined to bring in the toughest gun laws in Australia, and they’ll be significantly tightened in New South Wales,” Mr Minns said on Tuesday afternoon.

Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates from authorities on the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Mr Howard says a focus on gun reform must not be used as a pretext to avoid dealing with hateful antisemitism.

“The general observation I’d make on focusing on guns, it’s designed to tighten existing laws,” the former Prime Minister said.

“I do not want this debate post this horrible event to be used, the focus of guns to be used as a pretext to avoid the broader debate about the spread of hatred and Jewish people and anti-Semitism.

“I see in the behaviour of some people, not of course anyone in this room, the behaviour of some people desire to use the issue of gun laws as a pretext for not talking, and I don’t want that to happen.

“That would be an invasion of responsibility, the responsibility of the government of the day.

Mr Howard urged the Albanese Government to “denounce discrimination against a section of the Australian community and to do everything in the power of the government to prevent the spread of anti-Semitic behaviour”.

John Howard said simply that Anthony Albanese had not done enough.

“I don’t think enough has been done by the Prime Minister to prevent it (antisemitism),” he said on Tuesday.

Mr Howard said Mr Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong were clearly not the murderers; however, he targeted their recent politics and the role they have played in stoking antisemitism.

“Why didn’t Penny Wong visit those areas of Israel that had been most directly assaulted by Hamas when she was there?” he asked.

“I’m ashamed of the fact that our relationship with Israel has broken down.

“Israel has been an ally of Australia, and I remember on my very first visit to Israel way back in the 1960s, talking to people in a hotel in Tel Aviv about the contribution of Australians at Bathsheba and the recollection they had of the people of Palestine.”

Former Prime Minister John Howard says the Government has been “asleep at the wheel” on anti-Semitism.

“There is little doubt since October 7, 2023, not enough has been done by those who command authority and respect in our society to prevent cauterise and denounce the spread of antisemitism,” Mr Howard said on Tuesday.

“I hope that this terrible event will be a wake-up call to those who have been asleep at the wheel. On this issue.”

The police officer who fired on and killed one of the Bondi Beach gunmen, helping end the slaughter of innocent bystanders, has reportedly been identified as a senior Bondi detective.

In vision of the unfolding horror, the detective can be seen creeping up on the alleged terrorist attackers, father and son Naveed Akram, 24, and Sajid Akram, 50, as they fire shots from a pedestrian bridge.

Putting his life on the line, the plain clothes detective who has been with the NSW Police Force for 15 years, hides behind a tree estimated to be about 40m away, and points what looks to be a handgun in the direction of the Akrams.

Read the full story.

John Howard says the world has “understandably” reacted in shock after the Bondi Beach massacre, especially given Australia’s reputation for strict gun laws.

The former Liberal Prime Minister and grandfather of Australia’s strict gun laws said the nation was in a state of “tremendous sorrow” and had been reminded that more needed to be done to stamp out antisemitism.

Sharing his grief for the Jewish community in a Sky News interview, Mr Howard said the terrorist attack had been damaging for an international reputation on strict gun laws, which individual Australians are proud of.

“It’s terrible international notoriety, to be within 48 hours on the front page of Time Magazine. To be on the front pages of every major newspaper in London,” he said.

“It’s terrible. And it’s understandable because we had such a reputation.

“And it’s a reminder to all of us that we have to try harder and do better. As individuals.”

Mr Howard had been just 50 days into the top job in 1996 when Australia was rocked by the Port Arthur massacre that left 35 people dead and 21 injured.

It prompted an unprecedented crackdown on guns, including a total ban on automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

The international headlines come after images of pro-Palestine protests at key Australian attractions, including the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, have been beamed across the world since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack.

NSW Police to provide update on Operation Arques from Bondi Beach at 12.45pm.

We will bring you the latest updates from the update live.

Slovakia’s President Peter Pellegrini has expressed public grief over the Bondi Beach massacre after confirming one of the 15 victims was a Slovak woman.

Marika Pogany, 82, was a dual Slovak-Australian citizen who has been remembered as a loyal friend and dedicated volunteer.

Current President Pellegrini and former Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová have both expressed condolences after Ms Pogany was named among the victims of Sunday’s terror attack.

“I unequivocally condemned the brutal, deadly attack on innocent people during the Hanukkah celebrations at Australia’s Bondi Beach and expressed my deep solidarity with a nation plunged into grief and shock,” President Pellegrini said, labelling it a “senseless, violent rampage”.

“I extend my heartfelt and sincere condolences to Marika’s family and loved ones. Together, we stand in solidarity with Australia—there is no place for terrorism and antisemitism in our world.”

Ms Čaputová described Ms Pogany as an “exceptional woman” and “long-time close friend” who had viewed Sydney as “her haven, far from the evils of fascism and communism”.

“This is unacceptable and reprehensible. This news has affected me and my family even more, that the Slovak woman, who was one of the victims, was our long-time close friend,” she said.