Hanukkah Celebration in Sydney Turns Deadly, Sparking Political Accusations
Edited By: Aminata Diallo
A Jewish Hanukkah celebration in Sydney turned into one of Australia’s deadliest attacks in recent years after a shooting on Sunday killed 12 people and wounded 29 others. Australian authorities have classified the incident as an antisemitic terrorist attack.
The assault occurred at 6:45 p.m. local time at Bondi Beach, where members of the Jewish community had gathered to mark the first night of Hanukkah. According to witness accounts, two gunmen dressed in black opened fire with semi-automatic rifles. One attacker was killed at the scene, while the second was taken to hospital in critical condition.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators found a crude explosive device inside a vehicle linked to one of the attackers, reinforcing the terrorism assessment. “The target was clear: the Jewish community, on the first day of Hanukkah,” he stated.
Political fallout and accusations
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as a “vile and antisemitic act,” describing it as an assault on all Australians. He praised several bystanders for their bravery, including one individual who managed to disarm an attacker with his bare hands.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the attack appeared to have been carefully planned to target worshippers taking part in a public religious ceremony.
International reactions followed swiftly. Israeli President Isaac Herzog denounced what he called a “horrific attack on Jews,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that previous Australian policies had contributed to an atmosphere of antisemitic incitement, placing partial political responsibility on the Albanese government.
Robert Gregory, head of the Australian Jewish Association, echoed those concerns, describing the attack as “foreseeable” and claiming authorities had been repeatedly warned about threats to the Jewish community without adequate preventive measures.
Scenes of panic
The area surrounding Bondi Beach descended into chaos as hundreds of people fled, leaving behind personal belongings amid screams and confusion. Witnesses told local media that blood covered the ground, while images showed injured people lying on the grass and weapons abandoned nearby.
Camilo Díaz, a Chilean student visiting the area, told AFP: “We heard continuous gunfire. It felt like ten minutes of explosions. The weapon was extremely powerful.”
International and religious responses
The attack drew widespread condemnation abroad. French President Emmanuel Macron said France stood in solidarity with Australia and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to fighting antisemitism. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the European Union’s support for Australia and Jewish communities worldwide. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the attack struck at “our shared values,” while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described it as “horrifying.”
Australia’s Federal Council of Imams, the country’s highest Islamic body, also condemned the violence, calling it “shocking” and urging Australians of all backgrounds to stand together in unity, compassion and solidarity.
As investigations continue, authorities are working to determine whether the attackers acted alone or as part of a wider network. The incident has reignited debate in Australia over rising extremism, hate-driven violence and security vulnerabilities at open public and religious events.
