WASHINGTON, D.C., December 17 (ANI): U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday condemned the deadly antisemitic terror attack in Australia, calling on nations to stand united against what he described as the “evil forces of radical Islamic terrorism.”
Speaking during a Hanukkah reception at the White House, Trump said he wanted to send “love and prayers to the people of Australia, especially those affected by the horrific and antisemitic terrorist attack that took place during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.” He added that countries around the world must come together to confront terrorism and hatred.
Addressing guests gathered in the East Room for the Hanukkah celebration, Trump again referred to the incident as a “horrific antisemitic terrorist attack,” underscoring the need for global unity against extremist violence.
Australian authorities are continuing their investigation into the December 14 attack at Bondi Beach, which occurred during a Hanukkah gathering of the Jewish community and left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured. The assault has been officially declared a terrorist act.
In a significant development, Telangana Police on Tuesday said that one of the accused, Sajid Akram, was originally from Hyderabad, correcting earlier reports that identified the attackers as being of Pakistani origin. The attack was allegedly carried out by a father and son, Sajid Akram, 50, who was shot dead by Australian police, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram.
Investigators have said the attackers were inspired by Islamic State ideology. According to Australian police, a vehicle linked to the younger suspect contained improvised explosive devices and two homemade ISIS flags, which were later safely secured and removed.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the shooting appeared to have been driven by extremist Islamic State ideology and described it as a “devastating terror attack” and a “targeted act of antisemitism” against Jewish Australians. “There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation,” he said.
On Tuesday, Albanese also met Ahmed, the man who went viral for tackling and disarming the attacker during the shooting. In widely shared footage, Ahmed is seen lunging from behind, restraining the gunman, and wrestling the firearm away as shots rang out.
Praising his bravery, Albanese wrote on X, “Ahmed, you are an Australian hero. You put yourself at risk to save others, running towards danger on Bondi Beach and disarming a terrorist. In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians.”
Amid the fallout, Trump’s intelligence chief criticized the Australian government, linking the attack to what she described as unchecked Islamist extremism and migration. In a strongly worded statement, she said the attack “should not come as a surprise to anyone,” calling it “the direct result of the massive influx of Islamists to Australia.”
She added that Islamist terror posed the greatest threat to global security and praised the Trump administration’s focus on border security and deporting suspected terrorists.
New South Wales Police said the area around Bondi Beach remains sealed as investigations continue, with restrictions on aerial movement still in place. Australia, which has seen very few mass shootings since strict gun laws were introduced in 1996, is treating the Bondi Beach attack as one of the deadliest terror incidents in recent years, CNN reported.
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