By Melissa Meehan, Kat Wong, Sam McKeith and Samantha Lock

Israel’s ambassador is throwing his arms around the Jewish community, refusing to be drawn on Australia’s response to anti-Semitism. 

A sea of flowers continues to grow at Bondi Beach, where 15 were killed and scores more injured in a shooting massacre on Sunday night.

Sobs and sniffles marked the sombre scene on Tuesday before Rabbi Yossi Friedman led a memorial prayer, which turned into a Hebrew song and the Australian national anthem, sung by the crowd.

Most of the victims had gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights.

Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, visited the scene on Tuesday to offer his condolences.

He refused to comment on his prime minister’s criticism of Australia’s approach to anti-Semitism.

“I’m here to hug the community, to hug the Australian citizens that care about life here,” he said.

The ambassador is scheduled to meet with Chris Minns, noting the NSW premier’s past support for the community.

Members of the Jewish community, locals, the Sydney Swans AFL team and politicians Anne Aly and Richard Marles streamed through Bondi on Tuesday morning, adding their flowers to an ever-growing tribute.

A menorah was illuminated on the sails of the Sydney Opera House on Monday night, recognising that the attack targeted the religious minority.

Other landmarks across the nation, including the MCG and Story Bridge, were also lit for the victims.

NSW Premier Chris Minns called the Opera House lighting a “simple but powerful gesture.”

State leaders pledged to tighten gun laws, including restrictions based on citizenship and the type of firearms permitted, with Mr Minns promising to recall NSW parliament as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Ahmed Al Ahmed on Tuesday morning after the hero shop owner ripped a gun out of the hands of one of the Bondi gunmen during Sunday’s attack.

“He is a hero … who represents the best of our country,” Mr Albanese told reporters.

The 43-year-old, also visited by Mr Minns on Monday, is recovering from surgery after being shot moments later, as video of his heroic act continues to circulate around the world.

More than 30,000 people have donated to an online fundraiser for Mr Al Ahmed, raising more than $1.9 million.

Dozens of Hanukkah vigils and events were held nationwide Monday night.

Rabbi Yossi Shuchat lit a 1.5 metre menorah at an emotional Bondi Beach ceremony, telling the crowd “lightness will always persevere, darkness cannot continue where there is light.”

Attendees sang and prayed at Melbourne’s Federation Square for the Pillars of Light Festival.

Hundreds attended a prayer vigil at the Chabad Bondi synagogue in Sydney’s east, a place of worship for many impacted by Sunday’s attack.

Authorities have ramped up security around Jewish sites, as well as Adelaide Oval ahead of Wednesday’s Test cricket match.

The gunmen – Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50 – acted alone and did not appear to have been part of a terror cell but were driven by radical Islamic ideology, Mr Albanese said.

Authorities believe the men prepared the attack in a short-term rental property in suburban Campsie.

“This was a meticulous, calculated, cold-blooded attack,” Mr Albanese told ABC radio.

Sajid, a licensed owner of six firearms who arrived in Australia on a student visa in 1998, died at the scene following a shootout with police.

Australian-born Naveed remains in a coma in hospital after being shot and is expected to face charges.

The attack is the deadliest anti-Semitic act in Australian history and second only to the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 – when 35 people were killed by gunman Martin Bryant – for the nation’s worst modern-day mass shooting.

Among the 15 Bondi victims were a 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor.

Of the 26 injured patients in Sydney hospitals, 12 are critical.

NSW Police officer Constable Scott Dyson and another officer are in serious but stable conditions.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley on Tuesday reiterated her call for the federal government to address anti-Semitism.

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