Sickening slur is levelled at the Bondi Beach hero who saved countless lives during terror attack by disarming one of the gunman
Palestinians have called Ahmed al-Ahmed, the brave Syrian-Australian who risked his own life to disarm a gunman during the Bondi massacre, a ‘traitor’.
Ramallah News, one of the most popular news outlets in Palestine, shared a story about Mr al-Ahmed’s brave actions on Sunday.
It’s alleged two gunmen, father Sajid Akram and son Naveed, stormed a Jewish festival celebrating the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach.
The pair allegedly killed 15 innocent people and injured dozens more before finally being shot by police, ending the attack. Sajid died while Naveed was hospitalised.
Mr al-Ahmed had confronted Sajid during the attack and wrestled his gun from him, risking his own life to save others.
Ramallah News’ post about Mr al-Ahmed was quickly spread around Arab communities, which overwhelmingly condemned him for saving Jewish lives.
According to analysis by a senior researcher for Palestinian Media Watch, Ahron Shapiro, of the 1,000 comments left under the article – 75 per cent were unsupportive of Mr al-Ahmed, 20 per cent were supportive and five per cent were neutral.
‘Treason comes to you from the closest people,’ one commenter wrote.
Ahmed al-Ahmed (pictured with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) bravely disarmed one of the gunmen during the Bondi massacre on Sunday and was shot twice in his arm
Mr al-Ahmed (left) wrestled the gun from terrorist Sajid Akram (right), in a move that saw hundreds of Palestinians call him a ‘traitor’
Other comments were just as appalling.
‘He sold himself and his life for the safety of the Jews,’ one said.
‘I wish it (the bullet) hit (his) heart,’ another wrote.
Other commenters accused Mr al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Arab Muslim, of seeking money.
‘He played it right, he wants the money,’ one wrote, while another said, ‘He has received a million dollars in rewards … he acted ‘manly’ in the wrong place’.
Some comments were even threatening towards Mr al-Ahmed.
‘By Allah we will surely chop you to pieces … we will not leave a trace of you,’ one said. ‘May God send you a disease,’ another wrote.
Fortunately, there were also several comments praising Mr al-Ahmed as a ‘hero who defended his brothers’.
Palestinians under a post by Ramallah News, slammed Mr al-Ahmed (pictured) for saving Jewish lives
‘He raised the banner of Islam and Muslims and proved to the world what Islam is,’ one said.
Others wrote Mr al-Ahmed is ‘a hero, a Muslim in truth and reality’ and praised his ‘courage, chivalry and high morals’.
A shocking number of commenters repeated a conspiracy theory that claimed the attack was orchestrated by Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad.
‘They want the world’s sympathy. They are the ones who commit these tricks,’ one said.
Dr Ran Porat, a research associate at Monash University’s Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, told The Australian the online reaction was indicative of the wider attitude towards Israel in the Middle East.
‘What connects these phenomena is a lack of self-reflection and a refusal to take responsibility for the extremism that emerges from education and incitement,’ he said.
Several Palestinians also praised Mr al-Ahmed (pictured) as a ‘hero who defended his brothers’
‘Even more disturbing is the fact that these views are being echoed in Australia by fundamentalist preachers in mosques, in media outlets targeting Australian Arabs and Muslims, and within universities.
‘The Australian authorities must crack down on individuals and organisations that spread such hate and conspiracy theories.’
