Sydney shooting an ‘anti-Semitic terrorist attack’ – Australian PM
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney as an “act of evil anti-Semitism,” vowing a decisive response to the attack. The incident left at least 12 people dead and more than two dozen wounded.
The attack on Sunday was perpetrated by two gunmen who targeted the ‘Hanukkah by the Sea’ celebration. One of the alleged attackers was killed in the ensuing firefight with police; the other was taken into custody in critical condition.
Police say they are treating the shooting as a “terrorist incident.” A number of “suspicious devices” believed to be improvised explosives were secured from a car linked to the attackers parked near the beach.
The Australian prime minister condemned the attack and vowed to eradicate “hate, violence, and terrorism in our nation.”
“There has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Hanukkah By the Sea celebration. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. [The attack is] an act of evil anti-Semitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation,” Albanese said.
During the attack, one of the gunmen was ambushed by a bystander, who wrestled his firearm from him, videos circulating online suggest. The disarmed attacker retreated to his accomplice, apparently securing a backup firearm from him. The bystander received at least two gunshot wounds while trying to flee, according to the footage.
Local media identified the man as a 43-year-old fruit shop owner and member of the local Muslim community. He has been hospitalized with non-life-threatening wounds.
The attack resulted in the death of Eli Schlanger, the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and one of the organizers of the event. Schlanger was a strong supporter of Israel amid the conflict in Gaza, repeatedly traveling there to meet with Israeli troops. Several other Chabad emissaries were among the injured, a spokesperson for Chabad Israel confirmed.
