Marc Benioff, the Chief Executive Officer of global tech giant Salesforce, has publicly denounced the violent shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, labelling it an "antisemitic terrorist attack". The assault, which targeted a group celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, resulted in the deaths of at least 16 individuals after a father-son duo of Pakistani origin opened fire.
Benioff's Heartfelt Message on Social Media
Expressing his grief on the microblogging platform X, formerly Twitter, Benioff stated he was "heartbroken" by the violence that unfolded during the festive gathering. "I am heartbroken by the antisemitic terrorist attack on Jews celebrating Chanukah at Bondi Beach," he wrote. The CEO extended his sympathies to those affected, adding, "My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all of our Australian Ohana." Ohana, a Hawaiian term meaning family, is often used by Benioff to signify community.
Praise for a Hero's Brave Intervention
In his post, Benioff specifically thanked Ahmed al-Ahmed, the man who courageously tackled and disarmed one of the attackers during the chaotic incident. He hailed al-Ahmed's actions as a profound display of bravery in a moment of extreme crisis. "Thank you to Ahmed al-Ahmed for his incredible bravery—turning tragedy into a powerful testament that human courage triumphs over hate," Benioff remarked. He concluded his message with a note of solidarity: "May the One who brings peace grant peace to all."
Viral Video and Hero's Motivation
Meanwhile, footage capturing the moment Ahmed al-Ahmed rushed and leaped towards one of the shooters, wresting the firearm from his hands, has spread widely across the internet. Speaking about his relative's instinctive reaction, Mohamed Fateh Al Ahmed explained to reporters that the sight of people on the ground and bloodshed compelled him to act. "Immediately his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and rid him of his weapon," he said.
Mustafa al-Asaad, al-Ahmed's cousin, provided further insight in an interview with Al Araby television network. He described the intervention as a purely "humanitarian act" driven by conscience. "When he saw people dying and their families being shot, he couldn't bear to see people dying," al-Asaad stated. He quoted al-Ahmed's thoughts during the attack: "'I couldn't bear this. God gave me strength. I believe I'm going to stop this person killing people'." Al-Asaad emphasized that his cousin is "very proud that he saved even one life."
The condemnation from a high-profile global business leader like Marc Benioff underscores the international shock and revulsion caused by the attack, while simultaneously highlighting the extraordinary courage of individuals like Ahmed al-Ahmed who risk their lives to save others.
