Anthony Albanese abused whereas attending Bondi vigil: ‘Blood in your palms’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been heckled while attending the Bondi Beach memorial ahead of a nationwide vigil to mark a week since the horrific mass shooting. 

A man was spotted running towards Albanese while yelling ‘blood on your hands’ as he arrived with a large security team and new wife, Jodie, by his side.

The man was obstructed by police after jumping off a brick retaining wall and ordered to leave the area. No arrest was made.

An estimated 15,000 people have arrived at the memorial near Bondi Pavilion ahead of a vigil planned for 6.47pm, the moment police started receiving reports of a shooting last Sunday.

On that day, alleged gunman Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, opened fire on a Jewish festival celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.

During the alleged terror attack, 15 innocent lives were lost and dozens more were rushed to hospital – where 13 remain.

Albanese on Friday asked everyone around Australia to observe a minute’s silence at 6.47pm on Sunday in honour of the victims.

However, the Prime Minister wasn’t popular among attendees of the vigil at Bondi Beach, where the alleged shooting unfolded, and arrived to a booing crowd. 

Several snipers also attended the vigil to keep watch over the large crowd.

The Australian Jewish Association shared a video of the snipers, writing: ‘Anthony Albanese – what have you done to Australia?’ 

Earlier, the association warned Albanese he wouldn’t receive a warm welcome at the event.

‘There’s a wild debate in the Jewish community now about how to react when the Prime Minister shows his face at the Bondi memorial tonight,’ it said.

‘The debate is between booing him or everyone turning their back on him. 

‘Which do you support? What trick will he pull to avoid the community’s reaction?’

Michelle Goldman, chief executive of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, lit the first candle for the vigil at Bondi Beach and started the minute’s silence.

The silence was broken by Australian Jewish musician Ben Adler who performed the national anthem.

As the music continued with several musicians – including a moving rendition of Waltzing Matilda by David Campbell, a montage showed images of the 15 victims and the thousands of flowers left at the scene of the massacre.

Those victims were Boris and Sofia Gurman, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Edith Brutman, Adam Smyth, Boris Tetleroyd, Marika Pogany, 10-year-old Matilda, Peter Meagher, Dan Elkayam, Reuven Morrison, Tibor Weitzen, Alexander Kleytman, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, and Tania Tretiak.

The massive crowd stood as prayers were read, in Hebrew and English.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip thanked the crowd for attending ‘in solidarity with the NSW Jewish community’ and welcomed several political leaders by name.

Albanese’s name elicited boos from the crowd while NSW Premier Chris Minns received a standing ovation.

Mr Ossip added the state leader hadn’t missed the funeral of a single victim.

NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane received similar applause as Mr Ossip noted she had rushed to Bondi Beach on the night of the attack to help victims.

Others who were greeted kindly included former prime minister John Howard, Governor General Sam Mostyn, and Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.

TV and radio networks also took part in the minute’s silence, which Albanese described as ‘sixty seconds carved out from the noise of daily life, dedicated to 15 Australians who should be with us today’.

‘The National Day of Reflection will be observed on the final day of Chanukah, a time traditionally associated with light, faith and resilience, making the loss felt by the Jewish community even more profound,’ he said.

‘The Commonwealth and state government will also work closely with the Jewish community on arrangements for a National Day of Mourning to be held in the New Year.

 ‘This will allow families the time and space to lay their loved ones to rest and to support those still recovering.’