Editor’s Note: This is a developing story.
On Sunday, December 14, multiple gunmen fired into a crowd at a public Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. As of this writing, at least 11 people have been killed, with at least 29 others injured and transported to local hospitals. According to the BBC, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a British-born rabbi, was among the casualties of the attack.
Current reporting indicates that at least two attackers were involved, with one apprehended as of Sunday morning in the United States.
The annual event, known as “Chanukah by the Sea,” is organized by Chabad of Bondi and attracts Jewish families from across the region to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah. Chabad is a global outreach network within Hasidic Judaism that emphasizes public religious presence and the joyful observance of Jewish holidays. The Chabad movement is known for being warm and accessible to a wide range of communities, including the broader public and nonobservant Jews.
The attack comes amid a wave of antisemitic violence in Australia over the past couple of years. These incidents include the burning of a Jewish childcare center and multiple Jewish-owned businesses, among other acts of vandalism and violence. According to the Associated Press, around 200 people have been charged with crimes related to antisemitism in New South Wales since 2023.
These rising threats of antisemitism mirror broader trends around the globe.
As our Jewish siblings begin this season of celebrating resilience and victory over religious persecution—now coupled with the horror of such a grievous attack—Good Faith Media (GFM) stands in solidarity against this vile form of hatred.
“We stand alongside the Jewish community as we mourn the victims of the terrorist attack in Australia,” said Mitch Randall, GFM’s CEO. “As people of good faith, we must condemn all targeted acts of violence and strive toward a more peaceful existence.”
Good Faith Media will continue to monitor this developing story.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Senior Editor at Good Faith Media.