Bondi beach shooting – latest: British-born rabbi among 11 killed in ‘evil’ terror attack on Jewish community
At least 29 people injured in attack while searches of area continue after improvised explosive devices found in car near scene
At least 29 people were injured in the mass shooting on Sunday evening, including two police officers, Australian police have said.
Hundreds had gathered for an event called Chanukah by the Sea near Bondi Beach’s children’s park when the attack was launched.
British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, has been named as one of the victims. The 41-year-old grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family members of Kinloss synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News.
New South Wales Police said one of the suspected attackers is dead, while a second was detained and is in a critical condition. The force have said they will investigate whether there is a third attacker.
Among the distressing videos circulating on social media dramatic footage showed a bystander, hailed as a hero, appearing to tackling and disarming one of the alleged gunmen.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism”.
Vigil being held in London
A vigil is being held outside the Australian High Commission in central London.
A crowd gathered on Sunday evening pay tribute and to light the first candle of the menorah to mark the first night of Chanukah.
How world leaders have reacted to the attack
United States
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington strongly condemned the attack and that "Antisemitism has no place in this world."
Britain
King Charles III said he was "appalled and saddened." Meanwhile, police in London said they would step up security at Jewish sites.
Israel
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at Australia's leader on Sunday, saying he had warned prime minister Anthony Albanese that "your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire."
Germany
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the attack "has left me speechless" and added that "this is an attack on our shared values. We must stop this antisemitism, here in Germany and worldwide.”
Iran
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei condemned the attack: "Terrorism and the killing of people, wherever they occur, are unacceptable and must be condemned."
United Nations
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was horrified and that "My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hannukah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness."
India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the "ghastly terrorist attack" and said that "we stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief."
Chief rabbi: 'We will rebuild with tenacity'
The chief rabbi has said it is hard to “adequately express our pain” after the Bondi Beach attack which targeted a Jewish celebration.
But Sir Ephraim Mirvis said Jewish people will “rebuild with tenacity” after the “unspeakable atrocity”.
In a statement on X, he said: “As we kindle our first Chanukah lights this evening, we hold the victims of the unspeakable atrocity in Sydney in our hearts and in our prayers.
“We mourn the loss of the innocent lives taken so brutally in this act of hatred and terror and we pray for a speedy recovery for all those injured.
“Once again, Jews have been targeted for the crime of gathering together proudly as Jews and it is hard to find the words to adequately express our pain.
“Our traditional Jewish response is clear: In the spirit of the defiant Maccabees, who declared that they would never be cowed nor denied the right to live and worship freely, we are strong and resilient.
“We will rebuild with tenacity, and we will continue to gather together to celebrate the light of our tradition and our values even more openly and proudly.”
Family of British-born rabbi killed in attack pay tribute
The family of Eli Schlanger, the British-born rabbi killed in the attack on Bondi beach, have called on people to “spread light” in his name.
“I know how he would have been reacting and it was something he said recently," Rabbi Zalman Lewis, the first cousin of Eli Schlanger, told the BBC.
"Every human being on earth has a positive way to contribute to making the world a better place, and we just have to keep spreading light. The world is a positive place and we need to show that and I know Eli would be saying that.”
'Heroic' bystander who disarmed gunman named
A “heroic” bystander captured on video tackling and disarming an armed man during the deadly attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach has been named.
The man has been named by local media as 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed.
Footage showed him charging at a man in a dark shirt who is holding a rifle. He then tackles the armed man from behind, wrenching the rifle from him with his hands before pointing the gun back at the man.
Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales state, where Sydney is located, hailed the bystander as "a genuine hero" and said the video was "the most unbelievable scene I've ever seen".
"There are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," Minns added.
You can watch the video here:
Starmer condemns 'sickening' attack
Sir Keir Starmer is one of the many world leaders who have condemned Sunday’s antisemitic attack.
“Chanukah should be a time of celebration and joy. The news that the Bondi beach attack was an antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish families at a Chanukah event is sickening,” he wrote on X.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families. The United Kingdom will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community. We are actively working with the @CST_UK on the policing of Chanukah events.”
British rabbi among those killed in attack
London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger has been named as one of the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
The father-of-five, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family members of Kinloss synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News.
The 41-year-old and his wife, Chayala, celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago.
His first cousin, Brighton-based Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told Jewish News: “How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?
“We can only respond by doing what Eli would have wanted, what he dedicated his life to – doing more mitzvot (good deeds) and to keep spreading positive energy.”
King 'appalled and saddened' by 'most dreadful' attack
The King has said he and the Queen are “appalled and saddened” by the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in a statement.
Charles paid tribute to police, emergency services and “heroic” members of the public, as he said the “the light at the heart of the Chanukah Festival” will always “triumph over the darkness of such evil”.
“My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach,” he wrote.
“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy.
“In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia - and the light at the heart of the Chanukah Festival - will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.”
Two men alleged to be shooters pictured by media
Two men who are alleged to be the gunmen in the mass shooting at Bondi beach have been pictured by media.
In images and videos shown on Sky News, the alleged shooters appear to be holding guns.
Amy-Clare Martin
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