German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the Hanukkah shooting incident in Sydney, saying: “This is an attack on our shared values. We must put an end to anti-Semitism here, in Germany and around the world.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also strongly condemned the attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during a Hanukkah commemoration event, which killed 11 people.
“There is no place for anti-Semitism in the world,” Rubio said. “Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, with the Jewish community, and with the Australian people.”
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the signing ceremony of the comprehensive agreement in Dimona: “A few months ago, I sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Australia, telling him that their policy is fanning the fire of anti-Semitism in the streets, and that it encourages hatred of Jews… Anti-Semitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders are silent.”
He added: “Unfortunately, the death toll is increasing minute by minute. We have witnessed evil at its lowest levels, and we have also witnessed Jewish heroism at its peak.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also spoke about the mass shooting incident during a Hanukkah celebration in Australia, saying: “We have repeatedly warned the Australian government of the need to root out the criminal and rampant anti-Semitism in their country.”
He added: “At this very moment, our brothers and sisters in Sydney, Australia, are being subjected to a terrorist attack during the lighting of the Hanukkah candle. We pray to God to grant the injured a speedy recovery. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and we hope to hear better news.”
Earlier, at least ten people were killed and dozens injured, on Sunday morning, in an armed attack targeting a Jewish celebration of Hanukkah held on Bondi Beach in the Australian city of Sydney, according to what local media reported.
Reports stated that two gunmen, wearing black clothes, opened fire from a nearby bridge on hundreds of participants in the “Hanukkah by the Sea” event, organized by the Chabad movement, which led to a state of panic and chaos in the place.
