Bondi Beach hero accused of selling out ‘for the safety of Jews’

The man who disarmed a terrorist during a deadly shooting spree at Australia’s Bondi Beach last weekend has been hailed a hero by many — but not readers of a popular Palestinian news source.

Ahmed al Ahmed was captured on now-viral CCTV video creeping toward one of the unsuspecting shooters before pouncing, wrestling the man’s shotgun from him and turning it on the attacker.

Heinous, hostile comments for a hero

However, a new report found that at least 75% of more than 1,000 comments on a Ramallah News post about al Ahmed were less-than-favourable, according to data from Israeli-based Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) shared with The Australian, per the New York Post.

Many of the outlet’s readers were incensed that the Syrian-Australian intervened, according to Ahron Shapiro, an Australian senior researcher for PMW, told the outlet.

One commenter wrote, “I wish (the bullet) hit your heart,” while another added, “May Allah not heal you.”

Another post read: “May God send you a disease that has no cure.”

One Facebook user accused al Ahmed of selling out his life “for the safety of Jews,” with another blasting him for stopping the twisted actions of another Muslim man, Sajid Akram.

The 50-year-old gunman was shot dead by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram emerged from a coma on Tuesday afternoon after also being shot by police.

The mass shooting that killed 15 people, including a rabbi, a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl, was “a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State,” officials confirmed.

Naveed has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder.

The heroic fruit shop owner and married father of two has been in hospital after being shot multiple times in the left arm, apparently by the younger gunman in the attack.

Al Ahmed has already undergone surgery, has more operations scheduled, and faces at least six months of recovery.

GoFundMe raises astounding amount in mere days

People from all over the world have rallied around al Ahmed for his bravery, and donations poured in to a GoFundMe page to honour his “extraordinary actions.”

The donation page read, in part: “In a moment of chaos and danger, Ahmed al-Ahmed stepped forward without hesitation. His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety. Early reports indicate he was shot twice in the process while protecting others.”

On Wednesday, the groggy patient was presented with a $2.5 million cheque in hospital.

“I deserve it?” Al Ahmed said to influencer Zachary Dereniowski, who co-organized the fundraiser.

“Every penny,” Dereniowski responded.

From his hospital bed, the hero recalled the moments before the alleged gunmen opened fire.

“It was a nice day, everyone enjoying, celebrating with their kids, woman, man, teenager. Everyone was happy … they deserve to enjoy and it’s their right,” he said.

“This country (is the) best country in the world,” he added. “We’re not going to stand and keep watching, enough is enough.”

Al Ahmed added: “God protect Australia. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.”

When asked what he would say to the tens of thousands of people who donated, his message was one of peace and unity.

“To stand with each other, all human beings, and forget everything bad behind the back, and keep going to save life. Save lives,” he said. “When I do save the people, I do it from the heart.”

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