Chief Rabbi Mirvis condemns ‘heinous’ Bondi Beach terror attack on Jewish community
New South Wales Police chief confirms terror attack targeted Jews celebrating first day of Chanukah – 12 people have been killed and around 3o injured
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the terror attack that targeted a Chanukah party on Bondi Beach in Sydney—leaving at least 12 people dead and many more injured—as a “heinous act” and an “unspeakable tragedy.”
Posting on X before police confirmed that Sunday’s attack had deliberately targeted Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Chanukah, Rabbi Mirvis said: “Absolutely heartbreaking news is emerging of an unspeakable atrocity on Bondi Beach in Sydney, where a Chanukah event was taking place.
“As details become clearer, please join me in praying for everyone affected by this heinous act.”
Rabbi Mirvis subsequently began sharing the Jewish names of victims online.
Progressive Judaism’s Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky also responded to the attack in Sydney, saying:” We are shocked and heartbroken by the horrific attack on a Chanukah gathering in Sydney, which has tragically claimed lives and left others injured and traumatised.
“Our deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of those lost, and our thoughts are with the entire Australian Jewish community at this unimaginably painful time.
“Violence at a moment meant for light, gathering, and celebration is profoundly devastating. We stand in solidarity with all those affected, holding them in our hearts.
“May the injured find strength to heal, may mourners feel supported, and may the light and resilience of Chanukah endure even in the darkest moments.”
Hero. https://t.co/wm1er4kqqZ
— Adam Langleben (@adamlangleben) December 14, 2025
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the attack as “appalling” and “distressing” in a social media post on Sunday.
He wrote: “Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach. I’m being kept updated on the developing situation.”
Starmer’s post came before New South Wales Police confirmed the attack, carried out by at least three gunmen, had deliberately targeted Sydney’s Jewish community.
It was later confirmed that 12 people, including one gunman, had died and at least 29 were hospitalised with injuries.
Police capture terrorists in Sydney and Australian citizens try to Iynch them. pic.twitter.com/etOYtrhg6P
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) December 14, 2025
As photos emerged of at least two gunmen suspected of carrying out the attack, details also surfaced of the scheduled “Chanukah by the Sea 2025” event, set to take place near the children’s playground at Bondi Beach from 17:00 AEDT (06:00 GMT) on Sunday.
Organised by the Jewish centre Chabad of Bondi, the event was to feature live entertainment and activities for all ages.
Earlier on Sunday, a pre-scheduled upbeat message from the UK Prime Minister marking the first day of Chanukah appeared on both his and Downing Street’s X accounts, despite the unfolding tragedy.
The message, sent to Jewish News the previous Friday, appeared to have been scheduled for automatic posting.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch posted: “Heartbreaking scenes emerging from Bondi Beach of what looks like another despicable terrorist atrocity.
“As Jews across the UK gather to welcome Chanukah, we must once again remind ourselves of the enduring power of the story of the Maccabees, not only to Jewish history but to universal themes of resilience, courage, and hope. We need them more than ever in the battle of light over darkness.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed little doubt about the motivation behind the attack.
On X, he wrote: “Our hearts go out to our Jewish sisters and brothers in Sydney who have been attacked by vile terrorists as they went to light the first candle of Chanukah.
“I just spoke to David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, who was speaking at the event as the shooting attack began. I conveyed on behalf of the entire nation of Israel our condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the wounded.
“Time and again, we called on the Australian government to take action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism that is plaguing Australian society.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community of Sydney and the entire Australian Jewish community at this horrific time.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also responded, saying: “My thoughts and condolences – along with the rest of London – are with everyone affected by the horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia today.
“The Met Police are increasing their visibility in our Jewish communities ahead of any Chanukah events.”
Verified video circulating on social media shows two gunmen firing from a small bridge crossing from the Campbell Parade car park towards the beach—just 50m (164 feet) from the Bondi Park Playground.
A separate verified video shows police officers on the same bridge, with one appearing to administer CPR to a motionless man as a voice shouts, “he’s dead, he’s dead.”
New South Wales police confirmed multiple fatalities in the Bondi Beach shooting.
They reported that two shooters had been “neutralised,” and that there was an active police operation to clear the area of suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the scenes at Bondi as “shocking” and “distressing.”
He later said “an attack on the Jewish community” is an attack on the whole of the country.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews issued a statement: “We are devastated to hear reports of a shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, with multiple fatalities at a Jewish Hanukkah event.
“While details emerge, we have been in touch with our Australian partners at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry to express our solidarity and offer our support. We have also been in touch with the UK Government, who are monitoring the situation closely, to discuss the UK response. The scourges of terrorism and antisemitism are shared, international challenges and need concerted and determined action to defeat them.”
The Jewish Leadership Council added: “Everyone at the JLC is horrified by the appalling terrorist attack at a Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that her thoughts were with those affected by the horrific incident in Sydney.
She acknowledged the “anxiety” the attack would cause relatives of those with family in Sydney and said she would be speaking to her Australian counterpart later on Sunday.
Imam Qari Asim, senior Imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds, said:
“We express our deep sorrow and unequivocal condemnation of the senseless act of violence at Bondi Beach, Sydney. We stand in full solidarity with the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected—particularly members of the Jewish community who were targeted while celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah. An antisemitic attack is an assault on the fundamental values of dignity, freedom of worship, and coexistence that bind us together.
“Such acts of terror are a betrayal of our shared humanity and are fundamentally opposed to the teachings of Islam, which uphold the sanctity of human life and the pursuit of justice for all. The courageous actions of Ahmad Al-Ahmad, who confronted the attacker despite being shot, are a true reflection of the spirit of Islam than the actions of those terrorists who took innocent lives through mass shooting.
“We stand united in opposing antisemitism, extremism, and hatred in all their forms. Let us not allow hatred and division to stand in the way of our shared future. Together, we can ensure that light, resilience, and hope endure, and that our communities remain bound by compassion, mutual respect, and peace.”
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