Sunday’s antisemitic terrorist attack in Sydney is foremost a tragedy, an act of evil against Jewish Australians celebrating the first day of Hanukkah. The shooting at Bondi Beach, which killed at least 11 and injured 28 more, also showed how easily the heroism and courage of everyday people can expose the pathetic core of every terrorist.
By now, millions have seen the video of a bystander disarming one of the shooters. Local media have identified him as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old shopkeeper and Sydney local. The unarmed civilian sneaks up behind the terrorist, wrestles with him for a few seconds and takes control of his long gun. The shooter meekly walks away, seemingly confused and embarrassed.
As of now, one terrorist is dead and the other is wounded and in custody; it’s unclear which one appears in the video. Police say they are investigating the possibility of a third gunman.
Ahmed, for his part, is in the hospital. He appeared wounded but lucid in a video, and no doubt the entire civilized world is hoping and praying for his speedy recovery, as they are for the dozens killed or wounded. Two police officers are among the injured.
It’s a tightknit community. The country of 25 million is home to an estimated117,000 Jews. More than a thousand of them had gathered at Archer Park, a grassy area near the beach.
Important questions remain. Why was an unarmed hero needed to restrain a gunman? Were Australian police adequately prepared for such an event? What has the Australian government done to rein in antisemitism? Has the country effectively screened immigrants and facilitated their assimilation? And, most importantly, what is being done to prevent this from happening again — in Australia and around the world?
No doubt these debates needs to take place, respectfully, and in some quarters they already are. For now, the best that people of good faith can do is mourn the victims and be thankful for heroes like Ahmed al Ahmed.
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