Hero Who Confronted Bondi Beach Gunman Given Permanent Residency in Australia as He Recovers from Multiple Surgeries
- Gefen Bitton, 30, risked his life to disarm Sajid Akram, 50, during the deadly terror attack at Bondi Beach
- The Israeli national has been granted permanent residency in Australia by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke
- Bitton remains in hospital after undergoing several surgeries for internal injuries sustained during the heroic act
- A former police officer, Peter ‘Marzo’ Meagher, 61, was farewelled at a packed funeral at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral
Gefen Bitton, the brave bystander who confronted a gunman during the Bondi Beach terror attack, has been given permanent residency in Australia as he continues to recover from his injuries. Bitton, 30, risked his life to disarm Sajid Akram, 50, during the chaos on December 14, and has undergone several surgeries for internal injuries sustained during the heroic act.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke met with Bitton at St Vincent’s Hospital and granted him permanent residency, saying: ‘Gefen is a hero. Without a moment’s thought for his own safety, he ran to help Ahmed al Ahmed.’
Bitton’s friends have hailed him as a hero, saying he put others before himself by putting himself in harm’s way. ‘As Ahmed al Ahmed heroically jumped on the terrorist, Gefen ran in alongside to confront the terrorist,’ friend Cayli Barr said. ‘There, he was shot, fell to the ground, and shot again. He ran into the face of danger like only a hero does, guided by the values on which he was educated and raised.’
The terror attack, which took place during a Jewish Hannukah celebration, left several people dead, including former police officer Peter ‘Marzo’ Meagher, 61. Meagher was farewelled at a packed funeral at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral, where family and friends remembered his bravery and dedication to his work.
Meagher’s brother, David, delivered a powerful eulogy, calling for tighter gun restrictions and questioning why some have dismissed suggestions of a gun problem in Australia. ‘Why can’t it be two things at once?’ he said. ‘Just as we must ask why the killers did what they did, surely, we must also ask how they were able to.’
Accused mass killer Sajid Akram faces 59 charges over the shootings, including 15 counts of murder. He was shot by police at the scene and spent days in a coma before being charged and later transferred to Goulburn supermax prison.
Ahmed al Ahmed, who was also injured during the attack, has travelled to the US for treatment on his bullet wounds. ‘A special thanks to the FBI for their warm welcome, outstanding protection, and genuine care,’ he said on social media.