A celebration meant to welcome Hanukkah with light and joy ended in horror Sunday evening after two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens more.
Australian authorities quickly labeled the shooting an antisemitic terrorist attack, calling it one of the darkest days in the nation’s recent history. It is the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades, a country known for its strict gun laws and low levels of gun violence.
What Happened at Bondi Beach
The attack unfolded around 6:45 p.m. near Campbell Parade, as hundreds of people gathered for Chanukah by the Sea, a public event marking the start of the eight-day Jewish festival.
Witness videos captured scenes of panic as beachgoers ran from the shoreline while gunfire echoed across the promenade. Footage aired on Australian television appeared to show two men dressed in black firing rifles from a footbridge overlooking the beach.
Police confirmed that:- One gunman was shot dead by officers
- The second was arrested and remains in critical condition
- At least 29 people were wounded, including two police officers
- Several improvised explosive devices were later found in a vehicle linked to one suspect
Authorities said one of the attackers was known to security services, though no specific threat had been identified beforehand.
Victims Include Religious Leader, Israeli Citizen
Chabad, the Orthodox Jewish organization that sponsored the event, confirmed that Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and one of the event’s key organizers, was among those killed.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed the death of an Israeli citizen, though further details were not released.
A Moment of Bravery Amid Chaos
One bystander was hailed as a hero after video showed him tackling one of the attackers, disarming him, and placing the weapon on the ground.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called the unidentified man a “genuine hero,” saying his actions likely saved lives.
Leaders Condemn “Evil” Attack
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as an act of terrorism that struck “the heart of the nation.”
“This was a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a time of joy,” Albanese said. “This was antisemitism. This was evil.”
Condemnations poured in from around the world:
- King Charles III said he was “appalled and saddened”
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was horrified
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack and said antisemitism has no place anywhere
- Leaders from the UK, India, and Israel also expressed shock and solidarity
Rising Antisemitism in Australia
The attack comes after a year marked by a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia, including synagogue arsons, vandalism, threats, and assaults — particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, where most of the country’s Jewish population lives.
Government figures show antisemitic incidents have more than tripled since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.
Community leaders say tensions have been building, especially in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
A Rare and Shattering Event
Mass shootings are exceedingly rare in Australia. The last event of similar scale occurred in 1996, when 35 people were killed in Port Arthur — a tragedy that led to sweeping gun law reforms.
Sunday’s attack has reopened painful questions about hate-driven violence, community safety, and the global rise of antisemitism.
As Australia mourns, Jewish communities worldwide are marking Hanukkah under the shadow of grief — determined, as many leaders said, to respond with unity, resilience, and light.
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