Israeli hailed as hero granted permanent residency

Gefen Bitton, a 30-year-old Israeli national who was seriously injured while helping others during the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in December 2024, has been granted permanent residency in Australia as he continues his recovery in Sydney.

Bitton was attending the Chanukah gathering near Bondi Beach on 14 December when gunmen opened fire, killing 15 people and injuring dozens in an antisemitic terrorist attack. Bitton’s family described him as a “true hero who deserves recognition”, detailing the moments leading up to the attack and his actions as shots were fired, as outlined on his gofundme page.

“After a long day of hiking in the Blue Mountains, all he wanted to do was celebrate Chanukah,” the family said. “Sitting at the benches in Bondi with a friend, he insisted on staying until the last moment until the Chanukiah lighting was completed. Little did he know, this decision would change his life.”

When the shooting began, Bitton initially ran with his friend. “When his friend looked back just a second later, Gefen had disappeared from sight,” the family said.

After reviewing CCTV footage and location data, the family said they realised Bitton was the man who ran back to help another civilian, Ahmed al Ahmad, who confronted the attacker.

“Gefen had escaped, he was safe, but when he saw the terrorist, he ran into the line of fire to help,” the family said. “He made the decision to put himself at risk to save the lives of others. As Ahmad al Ahmad heroically jumped on the terrorist, Gefen ran in alongside to confront the terrorist.”

Bitton was shot multiple times and was rushed to hospital in critical condition. He spent weeks in intensive care and was at one stage placed in an induced coma due to the severity of his injuries. Family members later told Israeli media that while his condition had stabilised, he faced a long and uncertain road to recovery.

Friends and relatives established a public fundraising campaign to help cover medical and rehabilitation costs, underscoring the seriousness of his injuries. Family statements said Bitton required ongoing treatment and specialised rehabilitation, with progress described as gradual but encouraging.

Prior to the Bondi Beach attack, Bitton was in Australia on a temporary visa. Representatives of the Jewish community confirmed to the Daily Mail that he has since been granted permanent residency in Australia.

The decision allows Bitton to remain in the country while undergoing extensive and ongoing medical treatment. Permanent residency provides him with access to Medicare and NDIS support as his recovery continues.

Jewish community leaders and public figures have welcomed the decision, saying it reflects national gratitude for Bitton’s actions on the day of the attack and ensures he can focus on rehabilitation without uncertainty about his status.

Speaking through family members, Bitton said he had been overwhelmed by the support he received from Australians of all backgrounds and expressed deep appreciation for the care he has received since the attack.

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For Gefen Bitton’s GoFundMe page, see: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gefen-our-hero-of-bondi