Disclaimer: The following article contains graphic images and descriptions that some readers may find distressing.
Arsen Ostrovsky, head of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Sydney office and long-time contributor to The Jerusalem Post, was among those wounded in the mass shooting at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday evening.
“[I’m] in [the] hospital recovering now,” Ostrovsky, who is receiving treatment, later wrote to the Post. “Bullet grazed head. Lot of bleeding. Doctors said miracle survived, was that close. Have been stitched up now. Worst thing was being apart from my wife + kids at that instance. I got hit when I went toward them. Thankfully, they got out Ok. It was absolute bloodbath, children and elderly everywhere. Felt like scene from Nova. But also incredible seeing how everyone rushed to help. Surreal.”
Emergency services treated victims at the scene and moved the injured to hospitals as police secured the area.
New South Wales Police said there were multiple casualties at the seaside celebration and confirmed that two people were taken into custody shortly after the attack. Authorities urged the public to avoid the area as the investigation continued.
The incident unfolded during a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach, a popular Sydney beachfront. Israeli officials and community leaders quickly condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.
Just two weeks prior, Ostrovsky warned about the “alarming surge in Jew-hatred since October 7, including the defilement of Australian landmarks being hijacked as platforms for intimidation and incitement against the Jewish community,” in response to a graffiti incident at the same beach.
Background on Arsen Ostrovsky
Ostrovsky is a prominent human rights attorney and the CEO of the International Legal Forum. He was recognized by the Post in its “25 ViZionaries” profile for his advocacy and communication reach.
He has authored and co-authored multiple op-eds on international law and antisemitism, including a legal analysis disputing genocide claims and a commentary on Iran and global security. He has also urged a stronger legal approach to antisemitism.
Earlier this month, data reported by the paper showed a sharp rise in arson and violent antisemitism in Australia this year, with 1,654 total incidents recorded by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Michael Starr contributed to this report.