Bondi terror attack heroes to receive keys to the city

Three everyday heroes of the Bondi Beach terror attack who ran towards danger to help strangers under fire will be honoured by Waverley Council.

At an extraordinary meeting of council on Thursday night, a mayoral minute detailing various measures to acknowledge the courage of all those who put their lives on the line on December 14 was passed unanimously.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, Gefen Bitton and Leibel Lazaroff will each be presented with a key to the city and a lifetime Waverley Beach Pass in symbolic recognition of their significant bravery.

“These gestures symbolise the enduring impact of their selflessness on our entire community and are a token of our never-ending gratitude,” Waverley mayor Will Nemesh said.

Al-Ahmed, 43, wrestled a gun from one of the alleged shooters as attendees at the Chanukah by the Sea event were being targeted, slowing down the attack and undoubtedly saving countless lives.

Bitton, 30, ran to al-Ahmed’s aid and then also confronted the alleged gunman in a bid to end his reign of terror.

Rabbi Lazaroff, 20, who was assisting the late Rabbi Eli Schlanger at the Chanukah event, rushed to help critically wounded NSW Police Constable Scott Dyson after he was gunned down, using his own shirt to stem the bleeding.

All three heroes were shot and seriously injured in the course of their valiant efforts to help others.

“Bondi, the entire Waverley community, and indeed all Australians owe a huge debt of gratitude to Ahmed, Gefen and Leibel,” Nemesh said.

The successful mayoral minute also authorised the mayor, deputy mayor Keri Spooner and Waverley Council general manager Emily Scott to collaborate on a list of suggested recipients for the prime minister’s Special Honours List on behalf of council.

Those nominations will include recommended posthumous acknowledgements for Boris and Sofia Gurman and Reuven Morrison.

Boris Gurman, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61, were the first two bystanders to encounter the alleged shooters as they exited a vehicle armed with weapons.

“Boris and Sofia saw the alleged shooters and rushed to confront them in a heroic bid to save people and tragically, they lost their lives in the process,” Nemesh said.

“They were beloved members of our Waverley community and in their final moments, they put the wellbeing of others above their own safety. We will be forever thankful.”

Morrison, 61, lost his life while trying to stop one of the alleged gunmen by throwing a brick at him, in a powerful moment of courage immortalised in a video captured by a witness.

“Another witness on the ground recounted how his incredible bravery slowed down the attack and allowed a mother and her baby to escape to safety,” Nemesh said.

Council will also investigate options for the future of the pedestrian bridge used by the two alleged shooters during the attack.

The northern pedestrian bridge crossing Park Drive in Bondi Park was the primary location of the attack and is one of two elevated passageways, with the second at the southern end of the park.

In 2024, council commissioned a report titled Bondi Park Bridges and Barrier – Structural Recommendations and it concluded that the two bridges – both heritage listed – were nearing the end of their useful life.

“The recommendation was that both bridges be replaced within the next several years,” Nemesh said.

“This Mayoral Minute notes that the replacement of the northern pedestrian bridge could form part of future discussions about a permanent memorial.”

Officers will now prepare a report for council examining the cost, timetable and required approvals for either the replacement or restoration of the bridges.

“This does not mean Council has made a determination either way about the future of the bridges – just that further assessments are needed. We will then consult with the community about a way forward,” Nemesh said.

On the matter of a permanent memorial, the successful mayoral minute notes that considerable consultation must be undertaken with the families of victims, the Waverley community and the Jewish community.

“These conversations will be led by the NSW Government and supported by Council,” Nemesh said.

“There are many beautiful ideas being shared, but taking our time to hear everyone’s views, especially those of grieving families, is the right thing to do. We should not rush this important process. We want to get it right.”

While a decision about a permanent memorial will take time, in the interim, a chanukiah has been placed in the park at Bondi near the site of the attack, providing a temporary space for the community to mourn, reflect and pray.

The chanukiah was designed by artist Joel Adler and is a contemporary interpretation of a chanukiah, with its candles lit by solar power each day at dusk. Council commissioned the piece in 2025 as part of its investment in new Chanukah decorations and Adler crafted it in partnership with the Jewish Climate Network.

The mayoral minute also authorised council to provide a number of dedicated mural panels along the Bondi Beach Sea Wall for a period of 12 months, with a select expression of interest process to engage artists.

Council’s first ordinary meeting for the year, scheduled for February 24, will see public obituaries for the 15 victims of the attack heard.

“Council remains totally committed to supporting our community through this unprecedented and unimaginable tragedy, and that includes honouring all those affected – especially the victims,” Nemesh said.

“There is much work to be done and many voices to be rightly heard, and we will keep the community updated each step of the way.”

The Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14 killed 15 people during a Chanukah celebration.