Israel Issues Global Safety Alert for Citizens Abroad Following Bondi Beach Terror Attack

Israel's National Security Council has issued a global safety alert for its citizens travelling abroad after the deadly terror attack at a Hanukkah event on Sydney's Bondi Beach.

The advisory comes as details continue to emerge about the shooting that left at least 16 people dead and dozens injured, sending shockwaves through Australia and the global Jewish community.

Israel Updates Safety Guidelines for Citizens Abroad

In updated guidelines released after the attack, Israel urged its citizens to avoid mass gatherings that do not have adequate security arrangements. The advisory specifically mentioned religious and community events, including gatherings at synagogues, Chabad houses and Hanukkah celebrations, ANI reported.

Israeli travellers were also asked to remain highly alert around Jewish and Israeli sites overseas and to immediately report anything suspicious, including unfamiliar individuals or unattended objects, to local security authorities. The council stressed the need for personal caution amid rising security concerns following the Sydney attack.

Netanyahu Accuses Australian Leadership of Failing to Act

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted strongly to the incident, using the attack to criticise Australia's handling of antisemitism. Speaking on the shooting, Netanyahu said, "I call upon you to replace weakness with action, appeasement with resolve. Instead, prime minister, you replaced weakness with weakness and appeasement with more appeasement."

He further alleged that antisemitism had been allowed to grow unchecked. "Your government did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia. You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country," Netanyahu said.

"You took no action. You let the disease spread and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today," he added.

What Australian Authorities Have Said So Far

Australian police said the attack was carried out by a father and son, identified by national broadcaster ABC and other local media as Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram. The father was shot dead at the scene, while the son remains in critical condition in hospital.

Police confirmed that around 40 people were taken to hospital, including two police officers who were described as being in serious but stable condition. The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87.

Security officials said one of the attackers was known to police but had not been assessed as an immediate threat prior to the incident.

Weapons, Flags and Ongoing Investigation

Authorities have not released full details about the firearms used in the attack, though videos circulating from the scene appear to show the use of a bolt-action rifle and a shotgun. Investigators are continuing to piece together the sequence of events and the attackers' motivations.

ABC News reported, citing unnamed sources, that two flags linked to the militant group Islamic State were found inside the attackers' vehicle. Australia's Home Minister Tony Burke said Sajid Akram had arrived in the country in 1998 on a student visa, while Naveed Akram was an Australian-born citizen.

The investigation remains ongoing as Australian authorities increase security and Israel urges heightened caution for its citizens worldwide.