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By Mandy Taheri
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Leaders around the world have condemned the deadly attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday that killed 16 people and injured 40 during a Hanukkah celebration.
Why It Matters
Sixteen people have died after what police described as a "terrorism incident" unfolded at an event taking place to mark the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. It is unclear if the killed gunman is included in that total. Emergency services said 29 people were transported to the hospital and others were being treated at the scene, and early on Monday police said 40 people remain in hospital.
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The mass shooting is a rare attack in Australia where strict gun laws have been in place since sweeping national reforms after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
What To Know
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said on Sunday. The shooting occurred around 6:45 p.m. local time at a Chanukah by the Sea event. Police fatally shot one of the gunmen, and the second is reportedly in critical condition and arrested, according to the Associated Press.
Dozens of world leaders condemned the shooting as an act of terror and antisemitism, voicing solidarity with the victims’ families and with Jewish communities’ marking the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday.
Chabad emissary Rabbi Eli Schlanger was among the victims of the mass shooting, family members confirmed to several outlets, including the AP, and Chabad of Bondi said in a statement.
The New South Wales Police Force previously told Newsweek in an email that it “won’t be confirming the ID of anyone who died or was injured at this time."
More identities are expected to be released once the next of kin are identified and contacted.
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What People Are Saying
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, wrote in an X post: “The tragic news this morning of the appalling antisemitic terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community in Australia on the first night of Hanukkah is another wake-up call. As we pray for the victims and their families, we stand in solidarity with Jewish communities around the world. Jewish people must be free to practice their faith openly and without fear. Antisemitism must be confronted and defeated wherever it appears.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in an X post: “Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism.”
Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres wrote in an X post: “I am horrified and condemn today’s heinous deadly attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hannukah. My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hannukah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote in an X post: "Ukraine stands in solidarity with Australia in the face of the brutal terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, which targeted the Jewish community at the start of Hanukkah. We express condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and wish a swift and full recovery to all those who were wounded. Terror and hatred must never prevail — they must be defeated everywhere and every time."
Esmaeil Baqaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, wrote in an X post: “As a matter of principle, Iran condemns the violent attack against civilians in Sydney, Australia. Terror violence and mass killing shall be condemned, wherever they're committed, as unlawful and criminal.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote in an X post: “I was deeply shocked by the attack at Bondi Beach. We condemn this heinous act of Antisemitism. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community in Australia and around the world this Hanukkah.”
Finnish President Alexander Stubb wrote in an X post: "Tonight’s terrorist attack on the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach was shocking and devastating. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims as well as the whole Jewish community in Australia. Finland stands with Australia in condemning antisemitism, religious hatred and terrorism in all their forms."
The Lebanese President’s Office wrote in an X post in Arabic: “President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, affirmed his complete condemnation of the attack that took place in the Australian city of Sydney. He emphasized that human values, foremost among them the right to life, are fixed universal principles, not subject to selectivity, arbitrariness, or fragmentation. Just as we condemn and reject the assault on any innocent civilian in Gaza or in southern Lebanon or in any region of the world, likewise, by the same principle and duty, we condemn what happened in Sydney. President Aoun stressed that the responsibility for these tragedies lies with the systems that promote ideas of hatred, extremism, rejection of the other, and the pursuit through violence of establishing systems of religious, ethnic, or political singularity.”
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote in an X post: "My deepest condolences to the victims of the tragic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney. Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We stand in solidarity with the people and Government of Australia in this difficult time."
King Charles wrote in an X post: "My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy."
Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote in an X post: "Our hearts go out to our Jewish sisters and brothers in Sydney who have been attacked by vile terrorists as they went to light the first candle of Chanukah. I just spoke to David Ossip, the President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, who was speaking at the event as the shooting attack began. I conveyed on behalf of the entire nation of Israel our condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the wounded."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X: "The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration. Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia."
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