The Premier of the Australian state of New South Wales, Chris Minns, announced that it was a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community. One of the two attackers was killed, and more than ten people were injured.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as"shocking and disturbing": rescue workers were on the scene and "fighting to save lives".

According to earlier police reports, two people have been arrested. Nearly 30 people were injured, many of whom were taken to hospitals, according to a spokesperson for the emergency services in the Australian state of New South Wales.

Among the injured are reportedly two police officers and one of the two suspected attackers. The latter was said to be in critical condition before Minns made his statement. The second suspected attacker is therefore likely to have succumbed to his injuries.

Police also reported that a number of suspicious objects in the vicinity of the crime scene were being examined by special forces, and a restricted zone had been established. Police urgently warned the public to stay away from the area and described the police operation as ongoing.

Alex Ryvchin, one of the leaders of the Executive Council of Australian Jews, told Sky News:"If we were deliberately targeted in this way, then it's on a scale none of us could have ever imagined." His media advisor was injured in the attack. An eyewitness was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald as saying:"I saw at least ten people on the ground and blood everywhere."

Israel: "Vile terrorists"

Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke of an attack by "despicable terrorists" on the Jewish community."At this very moment, our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists—in an extremely cruel attack on Jews who had gathered at Bondi Beach to light the first Hanukkah candle," Herzog said, according to his office in Jerusalem."Our hearts are with them," Herzog said."The heart of the entire nation of Israel skips a beat at this moment as we pray for the recovery of the injured, pray for them, and pray for those who lost their lives." The president continued,"We continue to reiterate our warnings to the Australian government, demanding action and combating the enormous wave of anti-Semitism that is plaguing Australian society."

Videos are circulating

Television channels Sky and ABC showed images of people lying on the ground. Videos circulating on the X platform showed people running apart on the beach and in a nearby park as gunshots and police sirens could be heard. One video showed a man dressed in black firing a large weapon before being tackled to the ground by a man in a white T-shirt who took the weapon from him.

Another video showed two men being forced to the ground by police on a pedestrian bridge. Reuters was initially unable to independently verify the footage. Bondi Beach is one of the world's most famous beaches and is usually crowded on warm weekends.

The attack occurred almost exactly eleven years after the hostage-taking at a Lindt café in Sydney. At that time, a single gunman had taken 18 people hostage. Two of the hostages died, and the perpetrator was killed.

Tensions between Israel and Australia

A spokesman for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that they were aware of the security situation and urged the public to follow police instructions.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reacted with sharp criticism of the Australian government to the deadly shooting."I am appalled by the murderous shooting at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia," Saar wrote on X."This is the consequence of the anti-Semitic rioting on the streets of Australia over the past two years, fueled by the anti-Semitic and inflammatory calls to 'Globalize the Intifada,' which have now been acted upon," Saar said. He demanded:"The Australian government, which has received countless warnings, must finally come to its senses!"

The term Intifada refers to two Palestinian uprisings against the Israeli occupation, during which numerous Israelis were killed in terrorist attacks. Since the beginning of Israel's war in Gaza against Hamas and other militant Palestinian organizations in October 2023, a global wave of antisemitism has been observed, including attacks on Jews and synagogues, in which criticism of Israel sometimes turns into hatred of Jews.

Increased threat but no concrete danger in Austria

In Austria, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen had wished"all those celebrating a peaceful and joyful Festival of Lights" shortly before news of the violence in Australia broke."In the light of the Hanukkah candles, we see what we humans are capable of: offering comfort where there is pain and sorrow, and allowing hope to grow by sharing it with one another," he posted on X.

The Interior Ministry in Vienna reiterated:"Since October 7, 2023 – the day of the Hamas terrorist attack on the State of Israel – a heightened threat level has existed in many European countries, including Austria (though there is no concrete danger)." A few days later, the terror alert level was also raised in Austria –"currently to level 4 out of 5 possible levels." This was accompanied by various visible and covert measures. The Ministry also emphasized its focus on protecting Jewish institutions in consultation with the Jewish communities and the related deployment of the Austrian Armed Forces.

Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) expressed his"appallment." "In these dark hours, we stand united with our strategic partner Australia and firmly oppose violence, hatred and any form of anti-Semitism."

EU leaders shocked

Top representatives of the European Union also expressed their horror. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on social media that she sent her condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere."We are united against violence, anti-Semitism and hate," she emphasized.

Similarly, Parliament Speaker Roberta Metsola and High Representative Kaja Kallas stated: Kalsa declared:"This heinous act of violence against the Jewish community must be condemned in the strongest possible terms." Metsola captioned a picture of a menorah for the Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah:"This light will not go out."

France "will continue to fight against anti-Semitic hatred without wavering," declared French President Emmanuel Macron on the online service X. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned"all forms of violence and anti-Semitism" on X and expressed her condolences to the victims. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared Ukraine's"solidarity" on X "in the face of the brutal terrorist attack (...) on the Jewish community at the beginning of Hanukkah."

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned this "despicable attack," as he announced via the online platform X."My heart goes out to the Jewish community around the world on this first day of Hanukkah, a festival that celebrates the miracle of peace and the light that conquers darkness."