Bondi Pavilion fell into an uneasy hush on Monday afternoon as mourners gathered to honour those killed in the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Among them was Sarah Murdoch, who appeared visibly shaken as she stood beside her husband, Lachlan.
The mood was raw and unguarded — the kind of silence that says more than words ever could.
Sarah Murdoch Leans on Family as Emotions Spill Over
The former model, now 53, struggled to contain her emotions throughout the vigil.
Lachlan stayed close, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she clung to him, clearly overwhelmed.
Sarah kept her head lowered, dark sunglasses shielding tear-filled eyes, her posture betraying the weight of the moment.
She wore a simple navy blouse tucked into tailored black trousers — understated, respectful, and fitting for a day defined by loss rather than appearances.
A Crowd United by Shock and Sorrow
Families, locals and holidaymakers stood shoulder to shoulder, many holding candles or flowers. No one rushed. No one spoke loudly.
The crowd simply stood together, stunned by the scale of the violence that had unfolded just a day earlier.
A significant number of those present were members of Sydney’s Jewish community, still reeling from the deadly attack that struck during a Hanukkah celebration known as Chanukah by the Sea.
The Attack That Shattered a Celebration
Police allege that two heavily armed men — 24-year-old Naveed Akram and his 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram — opened fire from a pedestrian footbridge using military-style weapons.
The gunfire tore through crowds of families, locals and tourists enjoying the beachfront event.
Sixteen people have now lost their lives, including Sajid Akram.
Fourteen died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries overnight in hospital.
Victims ranged in age from just 10 to 87.
Another 42 people were taken to hospital, including four children.
As of Monday, five people remained in critical condition — among them two police officers.
One probationary constable was shot repeatedly in the face.
Naveed Akram is currently in hospital under police guard after being shot by officers.
‘This Is a Whole Other Level’
Rabbi Mendel Kastel, who attended the Hanukkah event with his family, addressed the crowd with a voice heavy from shock.
He spoke candidly about the fear now gripping the Jewish community, saying that while antisemitism was not new, this attack marked something far darker.
“We’ve seen people harassed, hit, knocked over — but this is different,” he said.
“I don’t know what’s happened to our country, but we need to take it back.”
He urged Australians to stand openly with the Jewish community, not just in words but in action, stressing that safety and belonging should not be negotiable.
“We’re part of the fabric of this country,” he said.
“We contribute, we participate, and people need to make sure we feel safe.”
Vigil Interrupted by Heated Protest
The solemn tone of the afternoon fractured when police intervened to remove a woman who began shouting pro-Palestine slogans and anti-Israel remarks.
The woman, identified as serial protester Michelle Berkon, accused organisers of politicising the tragedy and demanded Israeli flags be removed.
“Depoliticise this event, and we can all come out here,” she shouted as officers escorted her away.
The crowd responded swiftly, drowning her out with chants of “get her out,” as emotions spilled over from grief into anger.
Claims, Counterclaims and Community Backlash
Berkon, who wore a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, later told media she was Jewish and believed she had every right to protest.
She referenced family members murdered in the Holocaust and accused the community of exploiting the tragedy for political purposes.
A member of Jews Against the Occupation and the Palestine Action Group, Berkon claimed she was removed due to what she described as “aggressive Zionists.”
Her groups describe themselves as advocating for Palestinian human and national rights.
Leaders Condemn the Disruption
Governor-General Sam Mostyn did not mince words when asked about the protest.
“It was incredibly disrespectful,” she said. “A disgrace.
The community reacted exactly as they should have.”
One mourner summed up the mood succinctly: “This was meant to be a moment of reflection.
People were grieving. And suddenly, it turned into chaos.”
What Comes After the Candles Burn Out
As dusk settled over Bondi, the candles continued to flicker — small points of light against an overwhelming darkness.
For many, the vigil was not just about mourning the dead, but about confronting fear, anger and uncertainty about what comes next.
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