Aussie envoy honoured in Jerusalem for swift ‘Bondi massacre’ response
United Hatzalah leadership rolled out the red carpet this week for Australian Chargé d’affaires Lyndall Sachs, honouring the diplomat for her “pivotal role” in the wake of the devastating Chanukah massacre at Bondi Beach.
Lyndall Sachs receives her gift
During a high-profile visit to the organisation’s National Dispatch Centre in Jerusalem, Founder and President Eli Beer credited the Ambassador’s personal intervention with saving critical time during a humanitarian crisis. Sachs reportedly moved mountains to expedite emergency visas, allowing a specialist Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit to hit the ground in Sydney while the tragedy was still unfolding.
“Your assistance made you a true partner in our mission,” Beer told the Chargé d’affaires as they toured the facility, which handles a staggering 2,000 calls for help daily. “By cutting through the red tape, you played a direct role in supporting those grappling with the aftermath of this horrific attack.”
The specialised Israeli unit provided psychological first aid to hundreds in Australia, ranging from the physically wounded and bereaved families to local first responders struggling with the scale of the carnage.
The visit concluded with the presentation of a miniature model of United Hatzalah’s signature “Ambucycle”—a symbol of the rapid-response model the organisation pioneered.
Chargé d’affaires Sachs praised the volunteer-led initiative, calling the cross-continental support “incredible” during a period of global uncertainty.
“This is how we build great societies,” Sachs noted, “when ordinary citizens come together to make life better for everyone.”
