“We repeat our alerts, time and again, to the Australian government to seek action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society,” Herzog said at an event at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
United States ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described the shooting as “horrific” and criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s initial statement shortly after the news broke for failing to label it a “jihadist attack on Jews on the first day of Hanukkah”.
After emerging from a meeting of the national security committee later on Sunday night, Albanese told a press conference the attack was “an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation”.
“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian,” Albanese said. “There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation, and let me be clear, we will eradicate it.”
King Charles shared his condolences in a post on X, writing that he and Queen Camilla were “appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack”.
“In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia – and the light at the heart of the Chanuka Festival – will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.”
Prince William and his wife Kate also expressed their condolences to the victims and praised the bravery of the first responders on X: “Our thoughts are with every Australian today following the terrible attack at Bondi Beach.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he was “appalled” by the attack, which he suggested was the result of rising antisemitism in Australia over the past two years.
“The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses!” Sa’ar posted on X.
He later posted on X again to report he had spoken with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
“I said that since October 7, there has been a surge in antisemitism in Australia, including violent incitement against Israel and Jews in the digital and public spheres…” he wrote.
“I also said that security for the Jewish community in Australia will be achieved only through a real change in the public atmosphere.”
The leaders of Italy and France both condemned antisemitism and said their thoughts were with the victims and their loved ones.
“In Sydney, an antisemitic terrorist attack struck families gathered to celebrate Hanukkah,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on X.
“France extends its thoughts to the victims, the injured and their loved ones. We share the pain of the Australian people and will continue to fight relentlessly against antisemitic hatred, which hurts us all, wherever it strikes.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was following the dramatic news with deep sorrow.
“In condemning once again with firm resolve every form of violence and antisemitism, Italy expresses its condolences for the victims and stands in solidarity with their loved ones, the injured, the Jewish communities, and renews its friendship with the Australian people,” she wrote on X.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the shooting as “deeply distressing” while UK Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch said the “heartbreaking scenes” looked like “another despicable terrorist atrocity”.
“The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach. I’m being kept updated on the developing situation,” Starmer posted on X. Less than an hour earlier, he had sent his “warmest wishes” to Jewish communities around the world coming together to celebrate Hanukkah.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon said he was “shocked by the distressing scenes” at a place that Kiwis visited every day.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his horror at the events at Bondi Beach.
“I am horrified and condemn today’s heinous, deadly attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hannukah,” he said on his official X account.
“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.”
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she was shocked by the “tragic attack”.
“Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere. We are united against violence, antisemitism and hatred,” she said.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine stood in solidarity with Australia. “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,” he said.
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said he condemned “this despicable act of terror in the strongest possible terms” while Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said “together, we must fight the spread of antisemitism”.
Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said he was horrified by the terrorist attack targeting Jewish families.
“My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Jewish community in Australia. Boulder. Manchester. Washington. And now Sydney. The names of more and more cities around the world are becoming synonymous with deadly attacks against Jews. Stopping these horrors requires immediate, decisive intervention at all levels. Enough is enough,” Lapid posted on X.
Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, said he was “in shock from this mass murder, and from the Australian government’s helplessness in preventing it”.
“Since October 7, we have witnessed a series of actions against the Jewish community and its institutions, a series that only intensified,” Maimon told Israel’s Channel 12 news.
Maimon is in Israel and is headed back to Australia, the Times of Israel reported. His tenure, which was dominated by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, acrimony over the war in Gaza and bursts of outright hostility between the Netanyahu and Albanese governments, is scheduled to end in mid-January.
Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said the attack was a “moment of grief, and time for accountability”.
Bennett called on the federal government to take “immediate, decisive action to protect Jewish communities and confront antisemitism as the serious threat it is”.
“Statements of sympathy are no longer enough. Jews should not have to fear for their lives anywhere, including Australia,” he said.
More coverage on the Bondi terror attack
- Updates: At least 12 dead, including gunman, after mass shooting during Hanukkah celebration
- What we know so far: all the details of the mass shooting
- Watch: Incredible footage shows the moment a hero bystander tackles one of the gunmen
Read the full article here
