World leaders issued strong and urgent condemnations after the antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where two gunmen opened fire on families gathered for a Hanukkah celebration, killing at least 12 people — including children and a police officer — and injuring nearly 30 others. The coordinated and deliberate nature of the assault, carried out during a Jewish festival event, prompted global outrage as governments expressed solidarity with Australia and the Jewish community while vowing to confront antisemitism and terrorism with renewed resolve.
The United States denounced the attack in unequivocal terms, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasising that targeting a Jewish celebration underscored a disturbing rise in violent antisemitism worldwide. He extended condolences on behalf of the American people and reaffirmed Washington’s support for Australia and for Jewish communities facing heightened threats. Rubio said the US would continue standing firmly against extremist violence and ideology.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, described the shooting as a “despicable terrorist attack,” noting that it had targeted Jewish families and Chabad emissaries on the first night of Hanukkah. He expressed deep sorrow for the victims, wished a quick recovery to the injured and reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to protecting Jewish communities across the world. Katz reiterated that Israel views global antisemitism as an urgent security and moral challenge demanding united international action.
In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the assault as “sickening,” stressing that Hanukkah should be a moment of joy rather than fear. He offered solidarity to Australia and the Jewish community, while noting that British authorities were coordinating closely with the Community Security Trust to strengthen protection at Hanukkah events across the UK. Starmer said that confronting hatred, extremism, and antisemitism remains a core obligation for democratic societies.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep sorrow as she followed developments from Sydney, condemning antisemitism and violence in all forms. She offered condolences to the victims, solidarity to their families, and support for the injured, stressing Italy’s longstanding friendship with Australia and its commitment to standing with Jewish communities at moments of distress.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the Bondi Beach attack as one that struck families gathered for a peaceful celebration, transforming a night of cultural and religious meaning into horror. Extending France’s sympathies to the victims and the injured, he said the French people share Australia’s grief and reaffirmed France’s determination to fight antisemitic hatred wherever it appears, insisting that such acts threaten not only communities but the foundations of global democratic values.
Across capitals, the message was unified: the attack represented a grave act of antisemitic terrorism requiring steadfast international cooperation, firm political resolve, and strengthened community security to ensure such targeted violence finds no sanctuary anywhere in the world.
