An Israeli national who rushed to confront a gunman during a deadly terror attack at Bondi Beach in December has been granted Australian permanent residency, a move the federal government says will remove at least one burden as he continues a long recovery.
Gefen Bitton was among those who ran toward danger during the attack on members of the Jewish community celebrating Chanukah by the Sea.
He acted alongside Ahmed Al-Ahmed, who disarmed alleged gunman Sajid Akram, 50, during the shooting.
Permanent residency gives Bitton access to Medicare and allows him to live and work in Australia on an ongoing basis.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the decision in a statement to The Epoch Times, describing Bitton’s actions as selfless.
“Gefen is a hero. Without a moment’s thought for his own safety, he ran to help Ahmed Al Ahmed. I was advised by Rabbi Mendel Kastel that Gefen wanted to become a permanent resident,” Burke said.
The minister said he met Bitton at St Vincent’s Hospital on Jan. 7.
“And while I was there, I made him a permanent resident of Australia,” he said, adding that of all the challenges Bitton is now facing, at least this would be “one less challenge to worry about.”
Community Welcomes Decision
Robert Gregory from the Australian Jewish Association welcomed the residency decision.
“All Australians should know about Gefen’s heroic actions that day. He is exactly the kind of person that Australia needs,” Gregory said.
The shooting unfolded on Dec. 14 at Bondi Beach. Police allege Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, 24, opened fire on the crowd.
Bitton had been sitting on nearby benches with a friend and had insisted on staying until the menorah lighting was completed. When shots rang out, he initially ran with his friend, but within seconds, he disappeared from view.
A video later circulating online showed Bitton joining Al-Ahmed as the alleged gunman was confronted and disarmed. During the confrontation, Bitton was shot in the face and seriously wounded.
Long Road Ahead
Bitton remains in intensive care after being struck by two bullets. According to those supporting him, there have been small improvements, but doctors expect a long and difficult recovery.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later confirmed that Bitton was medically evacuated to Israel on the morning of Jan. 8.
“I spent time last night at St Vincent’s Hospital with Gefen, who today has been medivaced to Israel,” he said.
A GoFundMe campaign established by Bitton’s friend Cayli Barr has raised more than $724,000 to support him while he remains hospitalised.
According to the fundraiser, Bitton is a 30-year-old Israeli who had been living and working in Australia before the attack.
Barr said the day followed a simple plan: after a long hike in the Blue Mountains, one of Bitton’s favourite pastimes, he wanted nothing more than to mark Chanukah by the Sea.
“Gefen—an unarmed Israeli civilian, living in peace in Australia—made a decision most of us couldn’t even think of,” reads the post.
“He ran into the face of danger like only a hero does, guided by the values on which he was educated and raised.”
