‘This Christmas is different’: Australia marks a changed Christmas as Albanese unveils bravery honours following Bondi antisemitic attack

On a Christmas meant for reflection and peace, Australia instead found itself confronting grief, courage and the enduring scars of extremist violence, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used the holiday to announce national bravery honours for civilians and first responders who rushed toward danger during the antisemitic terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead, the nation’s worst mass killing since 1996.

Details of a proposed national bravery honours program were announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Christmas Day, aimed at recognising civilians and first responders who faced what he described as “the worst of evil” during the antisemitic terror attack near Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.

Albanese also announced plans to further tighten Australia’s already strict gun laws.

Honour the brave

Albanese said a special honours pathway would be created to recognise those who put themselves in harm’s way during the beachside Hanukkah attack, including Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian Muslim who disarmed one of the attackers before being wounded.

Police allege that Sajid Akram, who was shot dead during the December 14 attack, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, carried out the massacre, now described as Australia’s deadliest since 1996.

Addressing reporters in Sydney following a Christmas Day lunch at Bill Crews and the Exodus Foundation alongside NSW Premier Chris Minns, Albanese said the holiday had been marked by a stark contrast between extremist violence and what he described as the “best of humanity.”

“This Christmas is a different one because of the anti-terror and the terrorist attack motivated by ISIS and antisemitism,” Albanese said.

“But at the same time as we have seen the worst of humanity, we have seen the bravery and kindness and compassion ... from those who rushed to danger.”

Unveiled earlier this week, the proposed honours would recognise individuals nominated for bravery or meritorious awards under Australia’s existing Honours and Awards system for their actions during and after the attack.