Bondi attack hero Leibel Lazaroff awarded Key to the City

A young Rabbi who put his life on the line to help others during the Bondi Beach terror attack has been awarded a ‘Key to the City’ by the Mayor of Waverley, in recognition of his heroic actions.

Leibel Lazaroff, 20, was honoured for his incredible bravery and selflessness at a ceremony on Tuesday 3 February, where he was also granted a special lifetime beach parking permit.

“Rabbi Lazaroff was assisting the late Rabbi Eli Schlanger at the Chanukah event, when he rushed to help critically wounded NSW Police Constable Scott Dyson, using his own shirt to stem the bleeding,” Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said.

“While he was bravely helping the officer, Leibel himself was shot and seriously injured.

“The entire Waverley community is incredibly thankful to Leibel, and these gestures symbolise a token of our never-ending gratitude.”

At an extraordinary meeting of Council in January, a Mayoral Minute detailing various measures to acknowledge the courage of all those who put their lives on the line on 14 December was passed unanimously.

“Ahmed al-Ahmed and Gefen Bitton will also be presented with a ‘Key to the City’ and a lifetime Waverley Beach Pass in recognition of their bravery,” Cr Nemesh said.

Mr al-Ahmed, 43, wrestled a gun from one of the alleged shooters as attendees at the Chanukah by the Sea event were being targeted, slowing down the attack and undoubtedly saving countless lives.

Mr Bitton, 30, ran to Mr al-Ahmed’s aide and then also confronted the alleged gunman in a bid to end his reign of terror.