Overview
- Thousands gathered at Sydney’s Chevra Kadisha Memorial Hall for Matilda’s funeral, where bee balloons, stickers and toys honored her middle name, Bee.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged legislation to make hate an aggravating factor in sentencing for online threats and to create a new offence for serious vilification based on race or advocating racial supremacy.
- The Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting left 15 dead and 24 injured, with police identifying Sajid Akram, 50, as killed at the scene and charging his son Naveed, 24, who was critically injured, with 59 offences.
- The Islamic State group praised the massacre in its weekly newspaper without claiming responsibility, as investigators continue to examine possible extremist links.
- Mourners voiced anger over ignored ‘red flags’ about rising antisemitism, while a nationwide bee tribute and new fundraisers — including a charity plush and a GoFundMe topping $550,000 — expanded in Matilda’s memory.