$2.6 Million Raised for Hero Who Disarmed Sydney Hanukkah Attack Gunman

More than $2.6 million has been raised for Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who heroically disarmed one of the attackers during the deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia last weekend.

The attack, which occurred on December 14, claimed at least 15 lives and left dozens wounded, including al Ahmed himself, who was shot twice when a second gunman opened fire on him after he tackled the first assailant.

A GoFundMe campaign launched following the attack has garnered nearly 45,000 donations for al Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian Muslim and father of two young daughters, ages 5 and 6.

“In a moment of chaos and danger, Ahmed al-Ahmed stepped forward without hesitation,” the fundraiser states. “His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety.”

Video footage from the scene shows al Ahmed approaching the gunman from behind as shots are being fired. He then tackles the attacker, wrestles the weapon away, and turns it on the assailant, holding him at gunpoint until authorities arrived.

Social media influencer Zachery Dereniowski, one of the fundraiser’s organizers, visited al Ahmed at a Sydney hospital on Friday to present him with a check for $2.5 million, the amount raised at that time. In a video shared on social media, al Ahmed appears visibly moved by the gesture, asking, “I deserve it?” to which Dereniowski responded, “Every penny.”

The attack has been classified by Australian authorities as a terror incident targeting the Jewish community. According to police reports, a 24-year-old man allegedly carried out the attack alongside his 50-year-old father, who “died at the scene.” The surviving suspect has been charged with murder.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited al Ahmed in the hospital earlier this week, hailing him as an “Australian hero.”

“You put yourself at risk to save others, running towards danger on Bondi Beach and disarming a terrorist,” Albanese wrote on social platform X. “In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians. And that’s exactly what we saw on Sunday night. On behalf of every Australian, I say thank you.”

International leaders have also recognized al Ahmed’s bravery. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised his actions as “brave,” while Chris Minns, the premier of Australia’s New South Wales, stated that his “incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives.”

The Bondi Beach attack has deeply shaken Australia, a nation that has historically experienced relatively few mass casualty incidents. The targeting of a Jewish celebration during Hanukkah has raised concerns about rising antisemitism globally, a trend that has intensified since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In the days following the attack, Bondi Beach has become a site of memorial and resilience. Surfers and swimmers returned to the water on Friday in a show of solidarity, while Rabbi Yossi Friedman led a tribute ceremony for the victims on December 20.

The overwhelming financial support for al Ahmed reflects not only appreciation for his individual courage but also represents a wider community response to stand united against terrorism and religious hatred.

As investigations into the attack continue, al Ahmed’s story has emerged as a powerful counternarrative to the violence, demonstrating how ordinary citizens can display extraordinary courage in moments of crisis.