Praise for Syrian-Australian man who tackled Bondi Beach shooter
Praise has flowed in for a Syrian-Australian businessman who tackled the Bondi Beach gunman during his rampage at a Hanukkah event on Saturday that left at least 11 dead.
Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner from Idlib in northern Syria, was shot twice while confronting the attacker but managed to grab the shotgun off him and aimed it at the shooter as he retreated.
Video showed Ahmed ducking behind a car before jumping at the gunman, grabbing him in a headlock from behind.
According to local media, Ahmed had no firearms experience and placed the gun against a tree after driving away the shooter. He was later taken to hospital.
“He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside,” his cousin Mustafa told 7News.
“We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 percent.”
A range of other figures also came forward to praise Ahmed, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him “the pinnacle of Jewish heroism”.
NEW: The man who disarmed one of the Sydney attackers has been identified 43-year-old Ahmed Al Ahmed.
Ahmed, who is being hailed a hero for his actions, was shot 2 times. He's expected to be ok. pic.twitter.com/pDe0StPeCg
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) December 14, 2025