Speaker Johnson Meets Hero Ahmed Al-Ahmed
Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Commons, had a meeting at Parliament House on Thursday with Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian who disarmed a gunman during a Chanukah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
“Ahmed is a brave hero who thwarted an anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Australia on the first night of Hanukkah,” Johnson remarked on X. “He is still recovering from his injuries.” He emphasized that antisemitism needs to be confronted directly and extended prayers for those affected by the shocking event in Bondi Beach.
A photo shared by Johnson featured Al-Ahmed along with a few prominent figures, including Rabbi Levi Shemtov, who leads the Chabad-Lubavitch in Washington, D.C., and Rabbi Yehoram Ullman from Sydney, whose son-in-law, Eli Schlanger, was one of the victims of the attack.
A fundraising campaign for Al-Ahmed, labeled as an “Australian hero,” has managed to surpass $2.6 million, gathering support from nearly 45,000 donors.
According to a Chabad representative, Ullman invited Al-Ahmed to the United States to promote shared community values and to share stories of those who did not survive violent encounters. During their U.S. visit, they stopped by Ohel Chabad-Lubavitch in Queens, where the late Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson is interred. It’s a site that has seen many dignitaries, including President Trump.
Ullman officiated several funerals for victims of the Bondi Beach attack, stepping up as a key spokesperson for the Jewish community in Australia after the tragedy. Chabad organized the December 14 event that turned deadly when two shooters fired into a gathering, resulting in the loss of at least 15 lives.
As details of the attack circulated, a video showcasing Al-Ahmed confronting the gunmen went viral. After being shot during the incident, he was hospitalized and, even weeks later, is still wearing a sling. His courageous actions garnered praise globally. A fundraising site noted, “In a moment of chaos and peril, Ahmed Al-Ahmed stepped up without delay… His actions were selfless and instinctive, putting others before his own safety.” Initial reports indicated he was shot twice while intervening.
At the annual Kollel Chabad event, Al-Ahmed was honored for his bravery. Ullman introduced him as a hero, and he was presented with a Hanukkah menorah encased in glass, alongside an award featuring the phrase, “Light Will Win,” gifted by billionaire Bill Ackman.
Fox News Digital has sought comments from Johnson’s office regarding the event.
