Disinformation and Heroism Amid Bondi Beach Terror Attack Fallout

Following the December 14 terror attack at Bondi Beach during a Jewish Chanukah celebration, authorities and communities face an ongoing challenge with spreading disinformation alongside efforts to honor victims and understand the attack’s aftermath.

The attack, which resulted in 15 deaths and around 40 injuries, was reportedly inspired by the Islamic State. One of the shooters, Naveed Akram, is expected to be formally charged with terrorism after waking from a coma; 22 people remain hospitalized. Notably, Naveed’s father, Sajid Akram, was also killed during the incident. Police chief Mal Lanyon has underscored the difficulties posed by rampant false news circulating on social media following the attack.

Among the misinformation is a false narrative about the identity of a hero during the shooting. Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old vegetable vendor celebrated for disarming one of the shooters and saving lives, has been subject to competing social media posts erroneously crediting Edward Crabtree, falsely claimed to have been born in Sydney. These competing narratives have been intertwined with racist and Islamophobic posts on platforms like X. Additionally, AI-generated images have been manipulated to spread antisemitic messages, including a fake image of a terror attack survivor linked to conspiracy theories about Israeli intelligence, originating from Russian disinformation sites.

Beyond misinformation, the community is beginning to mourn formally. On December 17, the first victim, Orthodox Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was buried in Bondi with a significant police presence. Rabbi Levi Wolff officiated the ceremony, describing Schlanger as a figure of love, joy, and selflessness, survived by a wife and five children, including an infant.

Police continue to counter false claims, including incorrect portrayals of officers’ actions during the attack. Chief Lanyon expressed respect for the bravery shown by officers facing gunfire as they arrived on scene. This attack and its aftermath illustrate deep challenges around security, community healing, and the impact of misinformation in a digital age.