Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Friday, December 19, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Friday, December 19, 2025
Australian PM says Sunday will be national ‘day of reflection’ to mark Hanukkah attack
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A poster of 10-year-old Matilda, who was killed in the Bondi Beach terror attack, is hung next to flags of Australia and Israel on the gate of the Bondi Pavilion, in Sydney on December 18, 2025. (David Gray/AFP)
SYDNEY — Australia will hold a national “day of reflection” one week after the mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
“This day is about standing with the Jewish community, wrapping our arms around them, and all Australians sharing their grief,” Albanese says as he declares Australia will honor the attack’s 15 victims on Sunday, December 21.
He also announces that Australia will launch a national gun buyback scheme.
“We expect hundreds of thousands of firearms will be collected and destroyed through this scheme,” Albanese tells a news conference.
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