AJC Statement on Terrorist Attack at Sydney Hannukah Celebration

We are heartbroken, sickened, horrified, and outraged. At least 11 people, including children, were murdered in cold blood in an antisemitic attack by two terrorists at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where a Hanukkah celebration was taking place on Sunday. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for the full and swift recovery of those who were wounded.

We stand in firm and unwavering solidarity with the Australian Jewish community. This massacre comes after repeated warnings, including from the Australian Jewish community itself. When AJC's Asia Pacific Institute, led by AJC CEO Ted Deutch, visited Australia in September, we echoed those warnings: allowing antisemitic rhetoric and demonstrations to go unchecked can-and does-lead to violence and death.

At that time, Australia's Jewish community had already endured fire bombings, graffiti, physical attacks, and threats. The community's warnings have now become a devastating reality.