At least 16 people have died and 40 have been hospitalized following an antisemitic attack on a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, according to the New South Wales Police Force.
Two gunmen, who Australian authorities identified as a father and son, opened fire on a crowd of more than 1,000 people who had gathered at Bondi Beach. The event, called “Chanukah by the Sea” — a decades-long tradition — was organized by Chabad of Bondi to celebrate the start of the Jewish holiday.
One of the casualties is Eli Schlanger, who served as a rabbi and chaplain in Bondi for more than 18 years. Schlanger helped organize the event. He was “truly an incredible guy,” said his cousin, Zalman Lewis, in a post on Instagram following Schlanger’s death.
Other victims include a child, a French citizen, an Israeli citizen, and a Holocaust survivor, according to Australian, French, and Israeli authorities.
“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith — an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. “An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.”
Police killed one gunman, the 50-year-old father, and arrested the other, the 24-year-old son, who is currently in critical condition. A video from the event shows a bystander who was able to tackle one of the gunmen and disarm him. Australia’s 7NEWS reported that the bystander who intervened sustained two gunshot wounds.
The Chabad reported that authorities’ delayed response time allowed the terrorists to reload their guns and continue shooting into the crowd.
President Donald Trump extended his condolences. “In Australia, that was a terrible attack. Eleven dead, 29 badly wounded, and that was an antisemitic attack, obviously. And I just want to pay my respects to everybody,” Trump said. “It was a rough day.”
Several major U.S. cities have sent additional authorities and resources to synagogues and Jewish gathering places in response to the terrorist attack in Australia. Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City all preemptively deployed police officers, but authorities in all three cities said that there are currently no credible threats and that the deployments are purely precautionary.
“We will continue to ensure the Jewish community can celebrate the holiday in safety — including at public Menorah lightings across the city,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. “Let us pray for the injured and stand together against hatred.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned the attack, and FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement that the U.S. is sending assistance to Australia to help in the aftermath.
New South Wales police is reportedly investigating suspicious items, one of which is being described as an improvised explosive device, found near where the shooting took place.
Albanese addressed the Australian Jewish community following the attack. “As Prime Minister, I say on behalf of all Australians to the Jewish community: We stand with you. We embrace you, and we reaffirm tonight that you have every right to be proud of who you are and what you believe.”