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ChanukahLIVE! to go ahead in Trafalgar Square despite Bondi Beach terror attack
Organisers confirm celebration will proceed, days after a deadly antisemitic terror attack in Australia
ChanukahLIVE! will go ahead as planned in London’s Trafalgar Square on Tuesday evening, with organisers insisting the public celebration of Jewish life is more important than ever following Sunday’s antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
At least 16 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish Chanukah gathering near the beachfront in what Australian authorities have confirmed is being treated as an act of terrorism. Dozens more were injured, several critically.
In response, Jewish communal leaders in the UK said cancelling ChanukahLIVE! would hand a victory to those who seek to intimidate Jews through violence.
Keith Black, chair of the Jewish Leadership Council, said the decision to proceed sent a clear message of resilience.
“Following yesterday’s antisemitic terrorist attack on Bondi Beach, it is more important than ever ChanukahLIVE! goes ahead as planned,” he said.
“Our community, still reeling from the attack in Manchester on Yom Kippur, must be able to celebrate our festivals in peace, and we encourage our friends to join us at ChanukahLIVE!
“Chanukah is a story of light overcoming darkness, and ChanukahLIVE! will be a celebration of the Jewish people’s enduring resilience. We will always choose joy over fear.”
The free public event will take place on Tuesday 16 December, bringing live music, performances and communal candle-lighting to the capital, alongside Europe’s tallest menorah beside Nelson’s Column.
Organisers say the event has been designed to offer reassurance and solidarity at a time of heightened anxiety for Jewish communities worldwide. Additionally, security measures will be in place, working closely with the authorities.
The attack in Australia, described by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as “an act of terror” and “an act of antisemitism”, has prompted renewed international concern about the safety of Jewish communities during religious celebrations.
Despite this, ChanukahLIVE! organisers stressed that public celebration remains a powerful act of defiance.
The event is open to Londoners of all faiths and none, with organisers encouraging allies to attend as a visible show of support.
As Black said, the message is simple: light will not be dimmed by fear.
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