At least 10 people were killed on Sunday after two gunmen waged a horrific attack on a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
While details are still emerging, local law enforcement has confirmed that two suspects have been taken into custody, one of whom was seen in footage being intercepted by a bystander during the attack.
According to the Zionist Federation of Australia, approximately 2,000 members of the Jewish community were present on the beach, celebrating the lighting of the first candle of Hanukkah.
“This is a day of profound grief. Members of our community have been murdered,” Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler stated. “Others have been seriously injured. Families are shattered. A sacred moment of light has been turned into darkness. We are working urgently with authorities as further details are confirmed. Our focus right now is on the victims, their families, and the safety of the community.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar was quick to respond to the deadly massacre, lambasting the Australian government’s inaction regarding antisemitism as a key component leading to the attack.
“I’m appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia,” Sa’ar wrote. “These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of ‘Globalise the Intifada’ that were realized today. The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses.”
Amir Tsarfati, Founder and President of Behold Israel, commented on the attack, highlighting the sobering reality of rising Jew hatred cloaked in “Justice for Palestine.”
“How will they justify it? Has the Australian Jewish community invaded Gaza or taken ‘innocent lives’? Of course not—because this has never been about Gaza. It has always been about the very existence of the Jewish people—everywhere and at all times,” Tsarfati emphasized. “Tonight, we light the first Hanukkah candle and declare with clarity and conviction: Am Yisrael Chai — the people of Israel live.”
Daniel Cohen, News Director for Jack Hibbs’ Real Life Network, reacted to the news by issuing an urgent warning and call for prayer.
“Jewish communities are paying the price as antisemitism exploded in the name of ‘tolerance.’ This isn’t ‘diversity,’ It’s cowardice disguised as virtue,” he underscored. “PLEASE PRAY for the victims.“
This is a developing story…
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