World leaders have expressed shock and condemnation after a shooting at Bondi Beach, Australia, left at least 11 people dead. Authorities are treating the attack as a terror incident targeting the Jewish community during Hanukkah, one of the most important celebrations in the Jewish calendar.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the attack “speechless” and urged leaders worldwide to halt antisemitic violence. “This is an attack against our shared values,” he wrote on social media. “We must put a stop to this antisemitism—here in Germany and around the world.”
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Australians, saying France shares “the pain of the Australian people” and will “continue to fight relentlessly against antisemitic hatred, which harms us all, wherever it occurs.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as “deeply distressing” and paid tribute to the victims and their families. He wrote on X that “together, we must fight the spread of antisemitism.” Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni called for a “firm resolve to end every form of violence and antisemitism,” while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU stands “united against violence, hatred and antisemitism.”
Some leaders highlighted the rising threat of antisemitism both in Australia and globally. Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar described the shooting as the result of “the antisemitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years.” The Australian Jewish Association urged citizens to “please pray for the Australian Jewish community” in a statement released on Sunday.
The attack occurred during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, which drew around 1,000 attendees. New South Wales police issued a warning at 7 p.m. local time, advising people to take shelter or avoid the area. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as people ran for safety from gunmen carrying assault rifles. Extraordinary footage captured one man wrestling with a gunman in an attempt to seize the rifle, an act praised by police for its bravery.
Authorities continue to investigate the attack, emphasizing the need to eradicate hate and ensure the safety of all communities. The Bondi Beach shooting has sparked a global outcry against antisemitism, with leaders stressing that such violence has no place in society.
The incident has renewed calls for vigilance against hate crimes and raised concerns about the safety of Jewish communities during public gatherings worldwide. Officials have pledged a thorough investigation and heightened security at future events, while communities around the world mourn the victims and support the survivors.
