At least 11 people were killed in a Jewish celebration attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney during a Hanukkah event. Authorities have declared the shooting a terrorist attack. The deadly attack happened on Sunday evening as hundreds gathered for a religious celebration, turning one of Australia’s most iconic beaches into a scene of chaos. Authorities have declared the incident a terrorist attack.
What Happened at Bondi Beach
The shooting occurred on Sunday evening during an event known as Chanukah by the Sea, where hundreds of people had gathered to mark the beginning of Hanukkah. According to police, two armed attackers began firing into the crowd near Bondi Beach.
One of the gunmen was shot dead by police at the scene, while the second suspect was arrested and taken to hospital in critical condition. At least 29 people were injured, including two police officers who responded to the incident.
Officials confirmed that the Jewish celebration attack was targeted due to the nature of the event and the weapons used.
Authorities Declare Terrorism
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the incident met the legal definition of terrorism. State Premier Chris Minns stated that the attack was clearly aimed at Sydney’s Jewish community.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the Jewish celebration attack as “an act of evil, antisemitism, and terrorism,” adding that such violence has no place in Australia. Authorities said one of the attackers was known to security services, but there was no prior warning of an imminent attack.
Victims and Acts of Bravery
Chabad officials confirmed that Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a respected religious leader and organizer of the event, was among those killed. Chabad is an Orthodox Jewish organization known worldwide for hosting public religious celebrations.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as people ran for safety, abandoning belongings and hiding behind cars and trees as gunfire continued for several minutes.
A bystander was later seen in widely shared video footage tackling and disarming one of the attackers. Australian leaders praised the man’s bravery, saying his actions likely saved many lives during the Jewish celebration attack.
Rising Antisemitism in Australia
The Jewish celebration attack comes during a period of rising antisemitic incidents across Australia. Government reports show that assaults, threats, vandalism, and harassment against Jewish communities have increased sharply over the past year.
Most of these incidents have occurred in Sydney and Melbourne, where the majority of Australia’s Jewish population lives. While authorities have not confirmed a direct link between past incidents and this attack, investigations are ongoing.
Global Condemnation and Support
World leaders quickly condemned the Jewish celebration attack. Leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, Israel, and India expressed condolences to the victims and their families.
Several countries announced increased security around Jewish sites following the attack, citing concerns over global antisemitic violence.
Gun Violence Is Rare in Australia
Mass shootings are extremely rare in Australia due to strict gun control laws introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. This incident is now considered one of the deadliest mass shootings in the country in decades.
Police say the investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released as evidence continues to be examined.
Follow for Updates!
Facebook: Newton Meshak
TikTok: @Mrrpoat