Anti-Semitic terror on Bondi Beach – Jews killed on Hanukkah holiday

Late Sunday afternoon (local time), several armed men opened fire on around 2000 people on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. They had come together to peacefully celebrate the beginning of the Jewish festival of lights, Chanukah.

At least twelve, including families and members of the community, were killed; 29 others, including two police officers, were injured, some of them seriously. One of the suspected perpetrators was killed on site, another is in critical condition in custody.

The attack targeted a Jewish event, Chanukah by Sea. Eyewitnesses reported dozens of gunshots, panic on the beach and scenes straight out of a horror movie as visitors ran for their lives and fled to safety.

Anti-Semitic wave

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the attack as a “heinous act of terrorism against Jews celebrating their festival of lights”. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said: “This is the result of an anti-Semitic wave”, which has increased in recent years and can no longer be ignored. He called on the Australian government to take the many warning signals seriously.

For Sydney’s Jewish community, this is a low point at a time when anti-Semitic incidents have already been on the rise. In recent years, there has been an increase in assaults, arson attacks on synagogues, attacks on Jewish institutions and open anti-Semitic incitement – a trend that has been evident in many parts of the world since the war in Gaza in 2023.

Iran allegedly behind the attack

This attack at Bondi Beach is not only a tragedy for those affected and their families, but an alarming sign that hatred against Jews and Jewish identity is real and dangerous.

According to a report in the newspaper “Israel Hayom”, Israeli intelligence services suspect that Iran is behind the terrorist attack.

Sources:

NZ Herald, JNS.org, juedische-allgemeine.de, “Israel Hayom”