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AUSTRALIA is mourning after a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach claimed the lives of at least 15 people and injured dozens more in what authorities have declared a terrorist attack deliberately targeting the Jewish community during a Hanukkah celebration.
Police said the victims ranged in age from 10 to 87, with around 40 people still hospitalised.
CNN reported on Monday that the attack took place as hundreds of Jewish Australians gathered for a public event marking the first day of Hanukkah at the iconic beachside location.
New South Wales Police confirmed the suspects were a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son.
The father, a licensed firearms holder for about a decade, was shot dead by police at the scene. His son remains in critical but stable condition in hospital.
Officers recovered six firearms linked to the deceased suspect and removed two improvised explosive devices found nearby, which were later rendered safe.
Police said they were satisfied no other offenders were involved and that investigations were continuing to determine the motive.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pic) condemned the attack in stark terms, calling it “an act of pure evil.” Speaking in Sydney, he said, “What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of anti-semitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location, Bondi Beach, that is associated with joy, associated with families gathering, associated with celebrations, and it is forever tarnished by what has occurred last evening.”
He added, “This was an attack deliberately targeted at the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, which, of course, should be a joyous celebration, and the Jewish community are hurting today.”
Flags across Australia were ordered to fly at half-mast.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he believed Australia’s government had “poured oil on the flames of antisemitism through its silence on anti-Jewish sentiment in the country,” while Israel’s National Security Council issued a renewed travel alert for Israelis abroad.
The council warned of possible “‘copycat’ incidents by terror supporters” and urged citizens to avoid unsecured public gatherings, stating,
“Israelis abroad are urged to strongly avoid attending large public gatherings that are not secured.”
The Jewish organisation Chabad, which organised the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, confirmed that the dead included Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor originally from Ukraine.
In a statement, the organisation said Kleytman died while shielding his wife from gunfire. Other victims named included Reuven Morrison, a long-time community member, French citizen Dan Elkayam, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who helped organise the event, and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, secretary of the Sydney Beth Din.
Condemnation came swiftly from across the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia affirmed “its stance against all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism” and expressed “its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Australia.”
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said, “Terror violence and mass killing shall be condemned, wherever they’re committed, as unlawful and criminal.” Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar also denounced the attack and offered condolences.
Within Australia, the Australian National Imams Council expressed solidarity with Jewish Australians, saying, “While this attack has targeted the Jewish community, it is in reality an attack on all of us, including the Muslim community.”
The statement added, “Violence and terrorism have no place in our society, and targeting innocent people undermines the safety, dignity, and cohesion of our nation,” and stressed that “antisemitism, expressed through hate, harassment, and violence directed at the Jewish community, has no place in our society.”
International Jewish leaders warned that the attack reflected a wider global trend. Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, said the shooting was “a sad and shocking event, but unfortunately, not altogether surprising.”
He noted that antisemitic incidents in Australia had surged since October, adding, “You can never build walls that are high enough,” and urging political leaders and other communities to stand with Jewish people.
As Hanukkah began, he said, “the best response is be more Jewish, celebrate, dance, worship openly and comply as Jewish people.”
In Washington, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick addressed the tragedy while speaking at the National Menorah lighting, saying, “We light the light of Hanukkah to bring light to much of this dark darkness.”
He told the crowd, “It is a difficult and tough day for what we’ve lost, but we must always celebrate being Jews.”
Cities including New York, London and Berlin stepped up security around synagogues and public Hanukkah events, while Australian authorities increased police patrols in areas with large Jewish populations and around places of worship.
As investigations continue, Australia faces renewed scrutiny over gun licensing, domestic extremism and the protection of minority communities, while Jewish communities worldwide mark Hanukkah amid grief, fear and renewed calls for solidarity. - December 15, 2025
