Global leaders have expressed shock, grief and outrage after a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach left 11 people dead during a gathering to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as “shocking and distressing” and said it was “beyond comprehension”, as police classified the incident as a terrorist act.
Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, condemned what he called a “very cruel attack on Jews” by “vile terrorists”, urging Australia to confront what he described as a growing wave of antisemitism.
US President Donald Trump labelled the shooting a “purely antisemitic attack”, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said antisemitism has “no place in this world”. Britain’s King Charles III said he was “appalled” by the “most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack”, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling it “deeply distressing”.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “horrified” by the “heinous deadly attack”, noting its occurrence on the first day of Hanukkah, a festival symbolising light and peace.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe stood with Australia and Jewish communities worldwide against violence and hatred. France, Germany and Italy also condemned the shooting, vowing to fight antisemitism.
Condolences and solidarity messages also came from Canada, the Palestinian Authority and Iran, all rejecting terrorism and violence in all forms.
