2025-12-14 12:45
publication
2025-12-14 12:45
At least 11 people and one of the attackers died in a terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday. The attack occurred when Australian Jews gathered on the beach began lighting a Hanukkah candle. 29 people were transported to hospitals. One of the perpetrators died, the other was arrested.
New South Wales State Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said during a press conference that the attackers used long weapons. He added that the police found a vehicle that probably contains several improvised explosive devices. There is also a similar device under the footbridge from which the attackers fired. Pyrotechnic units have already arrived at the scene of the incident.
Commissioner Lanyon said he had given special powers to officers to ensure that if a third offender appeared, police could effectively stop him.
The attack was considered a terrorist attack, and the anti-terrorist unit is to conduct an investigation, Reuters reported.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns confirmed that the attack was a deliberate attack on the Jewish community.
Among the dead was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, and among the wounded were two policemen. The police appealed to all people in the area who have recordings from mobile phones or car cameras to hand over these materials. The police are looking for improvised explosive devices in the area, the website of the Australian broadcaster ABC reported.
Alex Ryvchin from the Australian Jewish community organization said in an interview with Sky News that the shooting occurred during a beach celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which began at sunset. “If we were deliberately attacked like this, it's something none of us could have imagined. It's a terrible thing,” he said, adding that his media adviser was injured in the attack.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that the Australian government had received numerous warning signals before Sunday's attack. Saar suggested that they had been disregarded.
This is the result of anti-Semitic attacks on the streets of Australia over the last two years, along with anti-Semitic and inflammatory slogans of the “globalization of the intifada”. Today these (calls) have come true, said the head of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, quoted by Reuters. Israeli President Yitzhak Hercog called on the Australian government to fight the “massive wave of anti-Semitism” which he said was “plaguing Australian society”.
The head of a non-governmental Australian Jewish association said the attack was a “totally predictable tragedy”.
A report recently published by the Executive Council of Australian Jews (ECAJ) stated that in the 12 months from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, there were 1,654 incidents in the country – approximately five times the annual average recorded in the decade before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that started the war in the Gaza Strip – noted the Times of Israel website.
Von der Leyen: Europe stands in solidarity with Australia and Jewish communities
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday in response to the terrorist attack in Sydney that Europe stands in solidarity with Australia and Jewish communities around the world. We are united against violence, anti-Semitism and hatred, she emphasized.
Von der Leyen wrote on the X platform that she was shocked by the tragic attack on Bondi Beach.
“I express my sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,” she said.
“Europe stands in solidarity with Australia and Jewish communities around the world. We are united against violence, anti-Semitism and hatred,” assured the President of the European Commission.
os/rtt/ mce/
