Bondi Beach Hero Ahmed al-Ahmed Meets Former PM Kevin Rudd in Emotional US Encounter: ‘You’ve Helped Bring Us Together’
- Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed meets former PM Kevin Rudd in New York during his US trip for medical treatment
- Rudd praises Ahmed for his bravery during last month’s terror attack, saying ‘you’ve helped bring us together’
- Ahmed describes meeting Rudd as ‘a great honour’ and thanks him for his support
- The Syrian-born father has become an international hero after wrestling and disarming the gunman at Bondi Beach
Ahmed al-Ahmed, the brave father who wrestled a gunman to the ground at Bondi Beach, has met with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in an emotional encounter in New York. The 43-year-old, who has become an international hero, was praised by Rudd for his bravery during last month’s terror attack.
Rudd, who is currently the Australian ambassador to the US, told Ahmed that his actions had ‘helped bring us together, not apart’ and that he had done an ‘extraordinary thing’. Ahmed, who was accompanied by Rabbi Yehoram Ulman and Democrat Senate leader Chuck Schumer, was visibly moved by the meeting.
‘Thank you for your bravery,’ Schumer said, shaking Ahmed’s hand. ‘You’ve helped bring us together, not apart and that’s so important.’ Ahmed, who has been receiving medical treatment in the US, described the opportunity to meet Rudd as ‘a great honour’ on social media.
During the meeting, Rudd and Ahmed spoke about his recovery and the moment he wrestled the gunman. ‘The best country in the world, I’m an Aussie and I put my blood to my country,’ Ahmed told Rudd. Rudd replied, ‘Your image went out across the world… We love you, you’re a good bloke.’
Ahmed has been in the US for medical treatment since earlier this week and has also attended a major Jewish gala in New York and visited the burial site of the late leader of the Chabad movement with leaders of the city’s Jewish community.