Reports of mass shooting at Chanukah event in Australia
A Jewish community Chanukah lighting at Bondi Beach was reportedly targeted by gunmen; there are believed to be multiple casualties and injuries
The Jewish community in Australia has been targeted by a terror attack, with a mass shooting incident declared at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where a Chanukah lighting was taking place.
Reports from Sky News Australia suggest that at least 10 people have been killed and at least 60 injured. Social media footage shows two gunmen firing multiple shots, with other videos showing multiple bodies on the ground and paramedics attempting to resuscitate the injured. Further footage shows police with two men lying on the ground, believed to be in custody.
Bondi beach is one of the country’s most iconic tourist spots, and tens of thousands of people were believed to be in the vicinity at the time of the shootings, with around 2,000 members of the Jewish community believed to be attending a first night of Chanukah lighting event, “Chanukah by the Sea”, organised by Chabad. A Chabad emissary, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, is believed to be among those who have been killed.
The Australian Jewish Association, which shared footage of the gunmen, said “Please pray for the Australian Jewish community. We warned so many times that this was coming. We never once felt the Government took the warnings seriously.”
The New South Wales police asked media to “please share our message for members of the public to avoid Bondi Beach area as the police operation continues.
“We are still asking people in the area to take shelter until we can determine what is happening.”
ABC News Australia has published the name of one of the shooters, who is believed to be Naveed Akram, who lives in Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s south-west.
The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, has released a statement saying “The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected”.
The statement, which goes on to urge people to follow the advice of the NSW police, does not mention the Jewish community. Responding on social media, Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s Foreign Minister, said: “Words you will not find in the PM statement: Jews. Antisemitism. Terror.”
Further footage shared on social media appears to show a member of the public heroically disarming one of the gunmen.
An Israeli identified as “Shmulik” who was at the gathering gave an interview to an Australian local TV network, in which he stated that despite police being present on the scene, they did not return fire at the terrorists for some 20 minutes, with the shooters able to reload their guns and continue shooting. Australian police are generally equipped with firearms.
Arsen Ostrovsky, an lawyer who recently moved back to Australia with his family after 14 years in Israel, was grazed by a bullet, sustaining a wound to his head at the scene. Speaking to Australian media, he described what took place as “a bloodbath, an absolute massacre…it was chaos. I saw blood gushing from me, I saw people fall to the ground, my only concern are where are my kids, where’s my wife, where’s my family.”
In a statement from CST, the organisation said: “CST condemns the appalling attack that appears to have targeted a Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach in Australia.
“Chanukah is a Jewish festival that celebrates light and religious freedom and it is abhorrent that such violence was directed at a moment of communal joy. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and the Australian Jewish community at this awful time.
“CST will continue to work closely with police, government and community partners to protect Jewish life in this country, including discussions this morning to increase security and policing for Chanukah events in the UK over the next eight days.”
Chief 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.”
A spokesperson for the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: “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.”
This is a developing story – more information will be added shortly.
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