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The man’s family also thanked the Australian Jewish community “for their support, guidance and assistance,” and acknowledged the support of the people of Australia as a whole.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Bitton at St Vincent’s Hospital on Wednesday night, before Bitton was medevaced on Thursday. Albanese said Bitton was “suffering from severe injuries”, but said he had been shown a photo of the patient safely aboard.
Bitton has been granted permanent residency in Australia, should he return from Israel following his recovery.
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Five Bondi attack victims remain in hospital in Sydney today, according to a spokesperson for NSW Health.
One victim remains in a critical but stable condition 26 days on from the deadly attack, while the rest are in a stable condition.
Bitton appeared in widely shared footage alongside Ahmed as the latter disarmed the gunman. “Gefen had escaped, he was safe, but when he saw the terrorist, he ran into the line of fire to help,” Bitton’s family said. “Gefen’s put his own life at risk with his selfless actions [sic].”
Ahmed remains in the US for medical treatment, however, speculation is mounting he may meet US President Donald Trump on his visit. His trip has included special guest attendance at the Colel Chabad Gala dinner in New York.
Ahmed posted a photograph to his social media posing with NYPD officers, and described Trump as a “hero of the world”, fuelling speculation about a possible meeting with the American president.
Ahmed spoke to CNN on Wednesday (local time) and was asked why he did not shoot the gunman he wrestled the firearm from.
“I get five shots, it’s fine to save life. My blood for my country, Australia and for human beings around the whole world, anywhere and any place,” Ahmed said. “I did it as a human being. I didn’t shoot him because I was doing it as humility, to stop him to kill more innocent human beings.”
Trump has been among those who have praised Ahmed as a hero for his bravery at Bondi.
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