Peak Jewish body supports Bondi attack hero's permanent residency bid

Australia's leading Jewish organization is advocating for the Home Affairs Minister to grant permanent residency to Abdullah Ashraf, an international student whose courageous actions during the Bondi Beach terror attack have been widely commended. Ashraf, a Pakistani national, was driving his rideshare vehicle when he heard the commotion on December 14 and immediately rushed to help.

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In Judaism, to save a life is to save the world, and Abdullah really saved the world that night. Our heart goes out to him and our gratitude goes beyond words.

During the horrific attack, which resulted in 15 deaths and over 40 injuries, Ashraf demonstrated immense bravery. He aided an injured police officer, worked to stop the bleeding of a young mother after ensuring her children were safe, and stayed with a dying victim, 27-year-old French engineer Dan Elkayam.

Simone Abel, head of legal at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the Jewish community. "In Judaism, to save a life is to save the world, and Abdullah really saved the world that night," Abel stated. "Our heart goes out to him and our gratitude goes beyond words."

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Australia needs more people like Abdullah. He was faced with a horrific terrorist attack and easily could have escaped the scene, but instead he stood up and he ran into it and he tried to help people. That's exactly the kind of person that we need in Australia.

Ashraf's student visa was canceled after he was granted compassionate leave to cope with the trauma. However, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry believes his actions warrant special consideration. "Australia needs more people like Abdullah," Abel urged. "He was faced with a horrific terrorist attack and easily could have escaped the scene, but instead he stood up and he ran into it and he tried to help people. That's exactly the kind of person that we need in Australia."

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The minister for home affairs is vested with god-like powers to either cancel visas or to grant permanent residence.

This plea follows similar cases where individuals who displayed bravery during the attack, such as Indian national Rahemath Pasha and Israeli man Geffen Bitton, were granted permanent residency by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. Public law expert Professor Mary Crock from the University of Sydney noted that the minister possesses broad discretionary powers in such matters and has previously intervened in similar cases, citing the instances of "bollard man" Damien Guerot and security guard Muhammad Taha, who also received permanent visas for their bravery.

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This is exactly the type of case where the minister has intervened in the past.