Australia on Thursday observed a national day of mourning for the 15 people killed in the devastating Bondi Beach attack, the country's deadliest mass shooting in decades. Flags flew at half-mast across the nation, and a commemoration took place at Sydney's iconic Opera House.
The attack, on December 14, targeted a Hanukkah celebration and was allegedly carried out by a father and son inspired by Islamic State, which the government has classified as an act of terrorism against Jewish Australians.
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"Today is an opportunity for us to remember and pay respect to the 15 lives," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. "It's an opportunity for us as a nation to wrap our arms around the Jewish community because people were targeted because they were Jewish Australians."
A minute's silence, broadcast on major television channels, will be observed just after 7 p.m. local time (0800 GMT) to honor the victims. Attendees at the Opera House event, including relatives of those killed, will light candles, hear speeches, prayers, and video tributes. Major buildings across Australia, including cricket stadiums in Melbourne and Perth, will be illuminated in remembrance.
The tragedy has sparked national debate over gun control and antisemitism. Parliament recently passed a law enabling a national gun buyback program and tightening background checks, while separate legislation is being considered to lower thresholds for prosecuting hate speech.