On Thursday, Anthony Albanese revealed his government’s intention to create a national bravery award to honor the civilians and emergency service personnel who endangered their own lives in a mass shooting earlier this month. The attack, which occurred at a Hanukkah event, resulted in 15 fatalities.
This declaration was made as Australia deals with the consequences of what officials have characterized as an ISIS-inspired assault on the nation’s Jewish community during the holidays.
Albanese stated that this Christmas presented a stark dichotomy between extremist violence and the “best of humanity.”
“This Christmas is different due to the anti-terror and the terrorist attack driven by ISIS and antisemitism,” Albanese commented at a press conference. “However, simultaneously with witnessing the worst of humanity, we have also observed the courage, kindness, and empathy … from individuals who ran toward the threat.”
Albanese indicated that the government aims to institute a special honors system to acknowledge the heroism of those who faced what he termed “the worst of evil” during the December 14 attack. This includes Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian Muslim shopkeeper seen on video confronting a gunman before being injured.
According to The Associated Press, the award will honor individuals nominated for bravery or meritorious commendations under the current Australian Honors and Awards framework for their conduct during and following the incident.
Video footage showed two separate bystanders, identified as Boris and Sofia Gurman, attempting to intervene before the shooting started at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
Authorities reported that despite their attempts to subdue the attacker, the gunman ultimately overpowered and killed them.
Australian officials state that a father and son accused of perpetrating the attack—50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram—had writings that included antisemitic rhetoric and declarations of support for the Islamic State.
Investigators mentioned the duo may have been planning the assault for several months.
Only the son survived the attack and is now confronting legal charges.
Digital’s Rachel Wolf and