Australia holds day of reflection to honour victims of Bondi Beach attack

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SYDNEY, Dec 21 - Australia held a day of reflection on Sunday to honour those killed and wounded in a mass shooting that targeted a seaside Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach a week ago.

The gun attack, Australias worst in nearly 30 years, is being investigated as an act of terrorism targeting Jews. Authorities have ramped up patrols and policing across the country to prevent further antisemitic violence.

Australian flags were flown at half-mast on Sunday on federal and New South Wales state government buildings, with an official minute of silence to be held at 6:47 p.m. local time.

Authorities also invited Australians to light a candle on Sunday night as a quiet act of remembrance with family, friends or loved ones of the 15 people killed and dozens wounded in the attack, allegedly carried out by a father and son.

At 6:47 p.m., you can light a candle in your window to remember the victims of the antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi and support those who are grieving, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on social media platform X late on Saturday.

Albanese, under pressure from critics who say his centre-left government has not done enough to curb a surge in antisemitism since Israel launched its war in Gaza, has vowed to strengthen hate laws in the wake of the massacre.

On Saturday, the government of New South Wales, which includes Sydney, pledged to introduce a bill on Monday to ban the display of symbols and flags of terrorist organisations, including those of al-Qaeda, Al Shabaab, Boko Haram, Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic State.

Around 1,000 surf lifesavers returned to duty at Bondi Beach on Saturday, restarting patrols