A victim of a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, who was shot in the head, has been identified as a survivor of the Holocaust. Alex Kleytman, originally from Ukraine and a survivor of World War Two genocide, was tragically killed during a mass shooting at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia. His wife, Larisa Kleytman, shared that her husband of fifty years lost his life while trying to protect her during the attack. She recalled how they were celebrating Hanukkah on Bondi Beach when the tragic incident unfolded, describing it as a cherished tradition for them.
The Kleytmans, who have two children and 11 grandchildren, were part of the devastating mass shooting that resulted in at least 16 fatalities and 40 injuries, as confirmed by the New South Wales Police. Among the victims was Eli Schlanger, a rabbi from Britain. Authorities labeled the attack as a “terrorist incident,” noting that one gunman, aged 50, was killed, while another suspect, aged 24, is in critical condition.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as a targeted assault on Australians during what should have been a festive occasion. He denounced it as a despicable act of antisemitism and terrorism that struck at the core of the nation’s values.
Video footage captured bystander Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, bravely confronting one of the shooters and disarming him. Ahmed, a father of two, sustained injuries to his arm and hand but is currently recuperating in the hospital, according to his family.