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Bondi heroes to be recognized on special honors list, Albanese announces
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Bondi heroes to be recognized on special honors list, Albanese announces

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Heroes, first responders, medical staff and others who came to the rescue during the Bondi terror attack will be recognized in a special honors list next year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced.
Albanese said he had written to Governor General Sam Mostyn to request the introduction of the new awards, which will be similar to those established after the Bali bombings and the MH17 plane crash.
“This would recognize those individuals nominated and recommended for bravery or a meritorious award in response to the terrorist attack on Bondi,” he told a news conference in Canberra.
“In the worst of times we see the best of Australian character.

“We saw it in those who lost their lives when they confronted the terrorists as they got out of the car. We saw it in the police and emergency services who rushed to help people.”

“We saw it when medical staff and professionals stopped eating and rushed to St. Vincent’s Hospital or Prince Alfred Hospital or other places to provide assistance, and we saw it also in the days that followed, when people made extraordinary personal sacrifices to help their fellow Australians,” Albanese said.

The awards would be announced next year, he said.

Stories about courage

Many stories of bravery and sacrifice have emerged since the mass shooting, which targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach on December 14 and left 15 people dead.
Boris and Sofia Gurman were probably among the first dead. Dashcam footage appears to show the couple attempting to disarm one of the suspected gunmen before being shot by alleged accomplice Naveed Akram.

Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a tobacco shop owner, was injured after confronting and disarming one of the suspected gunmen. He has undergone multiple operations and been visited by a series of top officials at the hospital, including Albanians, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.

Albanese also highlighted stories of two police officers he met: one who had driven from Newcastle to Bondi to help, and another who had worked all night.
“That’s the kind of recognition I want to see recognized publicly. That’s not why people do it, but it’s important that we as a nation celebrate our heroes and celebrate good deeds,” he said.

After the 2002 Bali bombings, a list of people received special recognition for their role in the response, with dozens praised for their courage.

Charitable status granted to Jewish foundation

The government also announced that the Jewish Community Foundation, which raises money for those affected by the Bondi attack, has been declared a community charity.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said: “This is part of our ongoing work to support community organizations helping the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and their families, and bring the community together in such difficult times.”

She said the government is urgently working to approve the foundation’s deductible grant recipient status with the Australian Taxation Office.

Israeli president invited for a visit

Albanese said he had a “very constructive conversation” with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday evening.

He described it as an opportunity for Herzog to express his condolences to the victims and to the country.

Albanese said he had written to the Governor-General requesting a formal invitation to Herzog to allow him to visit Australia early next year to “honor and commemorate victims of the anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Bondi and provide support to Jewish Australians and the Australian Jewish community at this time”.
Albanese said he has not spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the attack.
His Israeli counterpart has criticized his leadership. Albanians declined to comment on Netanyahu’s criticism, telling reporters: “I don’t think this is the time for party politics.”
“We have invited President Herzog, which is completely appropriate for the visit of the head of state.”

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