Bondi Beach attack: Gal Gadot, Oprah Winfrey express grief
What's the story
International celebrities and public figures have expressed shock and grief over the deadly mass shooting that occurred at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on December 14, 2025. The attack took place during a Hanukkah celebration, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Hollywood stars were among the first to condemn the violence and extend their support to the victims' families.
Celebrity reactions
'Our strength is not in despair, but in light'
Israeli actor Gal Gadot wrote, "This darkness deliberately struck at a sacred moment of community and hope. It is easy to feel defeated. But let us be clear: our strength is not in despair, but in the light we fiercely choose to create in this terrible void." Actor Ashton Kutcher emphasized the real-world cost of antisemitism on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Antisemitic rhetoric is not abstract - it carries a cost, and my brothers and sisters continue to pay it."
More reactions
'We shouldn't have gun violence in Australia'
Australian and Hollywood favorite Rebel Wilson called the news "absolutely devastating." She wrote, "An absolute tragedy that is the most un-Australian thing to have happen. We shouldn't have gun violence in Australia, we shouldn't have antisemitism - it's not us!" Oprah Winfrey, who was at Bondi Beach just days before the attack, expressed her heartbreak on Threads. "It's hard to reconcile that sense of peace with the terror of last night," she wrote.
Global solidarity
'No 1 should die because of their faith'
Sacha Baron Cohen, who is Jewish by birth, shared an image of a woman carrying a child away from the scene on Instagram, writing: "Hanukkah, 2025, Bondi Beach. It could be your family, your child. No one should die because of their faith." Singer Troye Sivan said, "The Australian Jewish community-my community-suffered a terrorist attack tonight... My heart is broken." Fellow musician Billie Eilish also expressed her heartbreak and called for peace and interfaith harmony.
Attack details
Bondi Beach attack: What happened?
The suspects have been identified as Sajid Akram, 50, who was killed at the scene, and Naveed Akram, his 24-year-old son. The attack left at least 15 people dead, including a 10-year-old girl. It has sent shockwaves across Australia and the world. Once famous for its sun-soaked surf and representative of carefree summer days, Bondi now stands at the midst of a jolting reminder of how quickly joy can be shattered by violence.