What’s happened: As of this morning the number of people who were murdered in the Sydney terror attack stands at 15. Another 40 people were wounded.
- The attack targeted Australian Jews celebrating a Chabad Chanukah party on Bondi Beach.
- Following the attack, President Herzog sent his “deepest condolences” to the Jewish community of Australia. He added, “These vile terrorists deliberately targeted innocent Jewish families celebrating the first night of Chanukkah… our message is clear: the Chanukah lights must go on and will be lit all over the world, especially in Bondi Beach in Sydney and all over Australia. In Australia, in Israel, and around the world, the Jewish people — the eternal people — will continue to bring light into the world and overcome this terrible darkness.”
- Prime Minister Starmer noted, “Chanukah should be a time of celebration and joy. The news that the Bondi beach attack was an antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish families at a Chanukah event is sickening….The United Kingdom will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community.” He added that his government was working with the CST (Community Security Trust) on the policing of Chanukah events.
- The prime minister later posted a photo lighting the Chanukah candles alongside his wife with his message: “As we light the Chanukiah, our thoughts and prayers are with those murdered in the terrorist attack on Bondi beach today, their loved ones and the whole Jewish community. Light will always win over darkness.” He further noted, “Antisemitism has no place in our society. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community, today and every day.”
- Later in Jerusalem President Herzog lit the first night candle alongside the family of Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. The President stated, “Ran is a police officer who fell heroically in battle on October 7th. 800 days later, Ran is now the last hostage still being held by murderous terrorists in Gaza. We renew our call for Ran to be released immediately and returned home to his dear family for dignified burial!”
Context: For many Jews around the world a deadly attack of this nature has felt inevitable following the increased levels of antisemitism, particularly since the October 7 massacre.
- Jewish community organisations in both Australia and the UK have been warning politicians for two years that the violent rhetoric on weekly marches in our cities, would escalate to physical violence.
- Following the Heaton Park Synagogue murders in Manchester, the UK government made commitments to changes in the law, to protect places of worship and assess cumulative impact of marches. Neither have been implemented.
- The terrorist attackers have been identified as Sajid and Navid Akram, a father and son aged 24 and 50 of Pakistani origin. It remains unclear if they acted independently or if they received training and support.
- Pakistani nationals have carried out attacks in the past, such as in the 2008 terror attack in Mumbai that – like in Sydney – also targeted a Chabad event. Similarly Pakistani nationals, serving as Iranian proxies were involved in a foiled terrorist attack at a Chabad House in Athens in October 2024.
- Over the last few months the Mossad had warned the Australian government that Iran and other malign groups were planning attacks.
- There is some speculation that Iran carried out a revenge attack against Jews at an iconic Australian tourist site following recent Australian action against the Islamic Republic. Other reports have suggested the terrorists may have identified with ISIS.
- This deadly attack followed months of anti-Israel public protests, including chants to “globalise the intifada.” This attack is viewed as a sadly predictable result of inaction against those protests.
- Despite the welcome words of Prime Minister Starmer there is heightened concern that not enough is being done to counter the growing spread of antisemitic rhetoric and there are ongoing concerns for the safety of the Jewish community.
- In Australia this attack followed a huge increase in antisemitic attacks that included a firebomb attack on a Melbourne synagogue a year ago.
- Yesterday Prime Minister Netanyahu noted his previous warnings to the Australian government that its policy was “promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia,” adding that its call for a Palestinian state ” pours fuel on the antisemitic fire…rewards Hamas terrorists [and] emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets.” Netanyahu emphasised that “Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent; it retreats when leaders act. I call upon you to replace weakness with action, appeasement with resolve.”
- The prime minister also noted that it was a brave Muslim man that heroically disarmed one of the terrorists.
- The festival of Chanukah, meaning “dedication” in Hebrew, commemorates both the 164 BCE rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the ruling Seleucid (Syrian Greek) Kingdom, under Antiochus IV, and the re-establishment of religious freedom for the Jewish people after a period of harsh repression.
- The success of the popular revolt led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers has ever since symbolised the fight for liberty and freedom against overwhelming odds.
- Chabad is a religious Jewish movement synonymous with outreach programmes for Jews of all backgrounds.
Looking ahead: Israel’s National Security Council has issued warning over the possibility that terror supporters will be inspired by this event and try to carry out copy-cat attacks.
- As a result, the NSC have issued a set of recommendations that include avoiding “unsecured public events, including events at synagogues, Chabad houses, Chanukah parties… Be vigilant when near Jewish/Israeli locations, and report to the security forces if anything out of the ordinary is detected (a suspicious person or object).”
- As the UK prepares for its public Chanukah celebrations this week, the Jewish community is on heightened alert.
