15 people killed on Hanukkah

The mass shooting has left at least 16 dead and 40 injuredas reported by the local police in a publication by X. The tweet did not specify whether the assailant was included in that figure. —the father— that was shot down on the beach or the other who was in critical condition — the son—but it is known that among the injured there are at least two police officers.

The event began around 18:45 in the afternoon, local time (08:45, time in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands), when the “Chanukah by the Sea”, organized by the Chabad of Bondi, was about to begin at the northern end of the iconic Sydney beach.

Of the armed men They opened fire near the Campbell Parade promenade, causing panic among families and children who ran to get out of the water and away from the beach as the shots rang out.

The assailants, wearing black t-shirts, barricaded themselves on a bridge located in the Bondi Beach parking lot until they were subdued.

In the midst of the horror, the figure of Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old man who he threw himself at one of the shooters to disarm it and was injured bullet in the struggle, has become a symbol of courage and intercommunity solidarity.

And second suspect was arrested —seriously injured and currently in critical condition—, and hours later bomb squads located and removed possible improvised explosive devices in a vehicle linked to the aggressors, which raised the level of alarm in the area.​

Nearby businesses, restaurants and homes suddenly became makeshift shelters for those fleeing the gunfire, while the police ordered citizens to remain under shelter until the perimeter was secured.​

As a result of the attack, “I want to declare what happened as a terrorist attack“concluded a few hours later the New South Wales State Police Officer, Mal Lanyon, in the press conference he offered accompanied by the Prime Minister of the state, Chris Mimms, who agreed to point out the attack as a specific attack. against the Jewish community.

The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanesehas echoed the news on social networks, where he has declared that the scenes in Bondi They are “distressing” and he added: “There is no place for this hatred, we will eradicate it.”

The head of the Israeli Government, Benjamin Netanyahudenounced “a horrific attack and cold-blooded murder” and, without explicitly mentioning the Australian Government, declared his intention to “continue to denounce those who encourage rather than denounce.”

Netanyahu also recalled that he had recently sent a letter to Prime Minister Albanese in which he warned him that the recognition of Palestine was a way to “add fuel to the anti-Semitic fire.”

For his part, the president of Israel, Isaac Herzogcondemned the shooting on Bondi Beach and urged the Australian Government to combat “the enormous wave of antisemitism”.

The attack has already become the second deadliest firearms massacre in Australia’s recent history, only behind Port Arthur, and hits a community that has been denouncing for months the increase in anti-Semitic threats and attacks.

Eco in the West

The Australian Government declared the attack antisemitic terrorism and ordered a enhanced security deployment in synagogues, Jewish schools and public Hanukkah events throughout the country, in coordination with state authorities.

In a matter of hours, capitals of Europe and North America They replicated their actions and announced an extraordinary reinforcement of security in synagogues and Jewish community centers, accompanied by a cascade of political condemnations.

From Europe, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenwas “shocked by the tragic attack.” “Europe stands in solidarity with Australia and Jewish communities around the world. We are united against violence, anti-Semitism and hatred,” Von der Leyen said in a message on social media.

European national leaders such as the German chancellor expressed themselves in the same vein, Friedrich Merzwho was dismayed. “This is an attack on our common values. We must put an end to this anti-Semitism, here in Germany and around the world,” he wrote in X.

Berlin police said they were stepping up Measurements around the Brandenburg Gatelocated in the German capital, where a large Menorah – the main Jewish symbol – is being lit.— electric to commemorate the first night of Hanukkah.

“We have long planned comprehensive security for tonight’s Hanukkah event at the Brandenburg Gate. In light of the events in Sydney, we will further step up our measures and maintain a strong police presence there,” a spokesperson told X.

The polish police He also reported that he had decided to strengthen security and therefore, at the main synagogue in Warsaw, armed security was doubled for the event that took place on Sunday night. “Due to the geopolitical situation and the attack in Sydney, we are strengthening preventive measures around diplomatic missions and places of worship,” he told Reuters in a text message a press officer from the Polish National Police Headquarters.

The official specified that this means “intensified preventive measures in the area of ​​diplomatic and consular missions, religious places and other institutions related to Israel and Palestine”.

For its part, the London Metropolitan Police He said there was also increased securitybut did not want to give details. “While there is no information to suggest a link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning we are reinforcing our police presence, conducting additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community to understand what else we can do in the coming hours and days,” he said in a statement.

Also the French president, Emmanuel Macronexpressed his condolences to Australia for the “anti-Semitic terrorist” attack. France “shares the pain of the Australian people and will continue to fight tirelessly against the anti-Semitic hatred that hurts us all, wherever it attacks,” Macron declared on his social networks.

The French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Núñez, asked local authorities to strengthen security in Jewish places of worship during the period from December 14 to 22, according to a spokesman for the minister.

Núñez called for a greater deployment of security forces, with special surveillance around religious services and gatherings that attract large crowds, especially when they take place in public spaces, the spokesperson added.

From USASecretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X: “The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia that targeted a Jewish celebration. Anti-Semitism has no place in this world,” Rubio wrote in a message on X.

For his part, the mayor of New YorkEric Adams, said in X that it was being implemented additional protection for Hanukkah celebrations and synagogues in the city.

“We will continue to ensure that the Jewish community can celebrate the holiday safely, including during public Menorah lightings throughout the city. Let us pray for the injured and unite against hate,” Adams said.

Meanwhile, in CanadaPrime Minister Mark Carney assured that his country “will not bow down” to anti-Semitic terrorism and stressed that the attack is a consequence of a climate in which hatred against Jews has been excessively tolerated, while provincial leaders reinforced that message of support.​