Shooting Happened at Bondi Beach Hanukkah Festival in Sydney

On the evening of December 14, Bondi Beach, a famous eastern Sydney location, experienced a major shooting. At the time, the local Jewish community was holding a Hanukkah celebration, Chanukah by the Sea, with hundreds of attendees present.

Eyewitnesses reported that two armed men fired at the crowd from a pedestrian bridge near the park, causing multiple injuries as people scattered in panic.

New South Wales Police quickly intervened, secured the scene, and launched an investigation. As of December 15, the incident had claimed 15–16 innocent lives, including children and the elderly. Notably, Rabbi Eli Schlanger was killed while attending the festival. Police reported that one of the gunmen, a father or son, was killed, while the other was injured and under investigation.

Authorities classified the incident as a terrorist attack, with counterterrorism and major crime units involved, continuing to search the area for other possible suspects. The police urged the public to avoid the affected areas and follow instructions.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as “an evil anti-Semitic act” and expressed condolences to the victims and their families, emphasizing national unity and the importance of collectively resisting hatred.

The international community also expressed concern. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the Australian government for previously failing to take effective action against anti-Semitism and called on Australian leaders to combat hate and violence. Netanyahu particularly praised a local citizen who bravely stopped one of the shooters, saving many lives.

Police continue to investigate the motive and have pledged to provide ongoing updates.