Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Tuesday that the suspects involved in the antisemitic terror attack at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach were motivated by ISIS ideology. This revelation came as authorities in India confirmed that the older suspect had origins in that country.
Officials disclosed that the gunmen had recently returned from the Philippines, an area known for its association with terrorist organizations. The tragic mass shooting at the iconic beach resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals, including a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor. Albanese emphasized the attack’s connection to Islamic State ideology during a visit to a local hero who attempted to thwart the assailants.
Australia’s federal police commissioner, Krissy Barrett, echoed Albanese’s statements, describing the incident as a terrorist act inspired by Islamic State, a group that previously controlled significant territories in the Syria-Iraq region.
The suspects, a father and son aged 50 and 24, utilized firearms that were legally owned by the elder man, identified by New South Wales officials as Sajid Akram. He was killed at the scene, while his son remained hospitalized but had regained consciousness by Tuesday.
On Wednesday, police reported that the younger Akram faced 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one count of terrorism.
Police in Telangana, India, confirmed on Tuesday that Sajid Akram hailed from Hyderabad. They stated that he earned a degree in the city before immigrating to Australia in November 1998, where he married a European woman. Sajid Akram held an Indian passport, while his son Naveed and daughter were both born in Australia and are citizens. Initial reports from U.S. officials suggested that one of the Akrams might be a Pakistani national; however, this was later clarified as a case of mistaken identity.
According to the Telangana police, the elder Akram had minimal contact with his family in Hyderabad over the past 27 years, returning only six times, primarily for familial reasons. Family members in India expressed that they were unaware of his radical views or activities, and indicated no connection between his son’s radicalization and India.
Australian officials have confirmed the discovery of homemade ISIS flags and an improvised explosive device in the suspects’ vehicle at Bondi Beach on Sunday, along with new details regarding their recent travels.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon revealed that both men spent most of November in the Philippines, with their final destination listed as Davao. The Philippines Bureau of Immigration confirmed their stay from November 1 to 28, while reports suggested that they may have received military-style training in the region.
However, Philippines presidential spokesperson Claire Castro stated that there were no verified reports confirming that the individuals involved in the Bondi Beach incident received any form of training in the Philippines.
Historically, the region has attracted foreign militants from various areas, but Philippine military and police officials reported no recent sightings of foreign militants in southern Philippines.
Concerns have emerged over whether Australian officials failed to adequately protect the Jewish community. It was revealed that Naveed Akram had been under investigation for approximately six months in 2019 due to suspected connections to a terror cell in Sydney, although the primary intelligence agency determined he posed no threat.
Reports suggested that he had longstanding ties to pro-ISIS individuals in Australia, including contact with alleged jihadist leader Wisam Haddad and Youssef Uweinat, who was convicted for recruiting youth into extremism. A lawyer representing Haddad denied any knowledge or involvement in the Bondi Beach shootings.
Many, including the daughter of a victim and a former Australian leader, have stated that the suspects’ backgrounds should have raised significant alarms, potentially preventing the loss of life.
Israeli officials have criticized the Australian government for its failure to ensure the safety of Jewish citizens amid a notable increase in antisemitic incidents. Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon emphasized the pressing need for Australian leaders to foster interfaith dialogue and establish clearer boundaries regarding protests.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull acknowledged the serious questions facing the national government but noted the inherent challenges of intelligence gathering. He emphasized that the nature of terrorism has been a longstanding issue in Australia.
Turnbull questioned the necessity of the elder Akram possessing multiple firearms, especially given his son’s previous watchlist status due to links with ISIS-related entities. He also raised concerns about the implications of their trip to the Philippines, questioning the existing communication and data-sharing among intelligence agencies.
Turnbull remarked on the ongoing struggle to adequately address the threats posed by radicalization while emphasizing the importance of monitoring potential avenues for extremism.
Arshad R. Zargar contributed to this report.
