Jewish organizations from around the world issued statements reacting to the Bondi Beach mass shooting on Sunday, including Chabad-Lubavitch HQ, the World Zionist Organization, World Jewish Congress Israel, and the European Jewish Congress, among others.
"We are devastated and heartbroken by the barbaric terror attack against a public Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, on the first night of Hanukkah," Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, chairman of Chabad-Lubavitch HQ, wrote.
The Bondi Beach event was arranged by the local Chabad organization, with one of the Chabad rabbis, Eli Schlanger, being among those murdered.
"Rabbi Schlanger devoted his life to sharing Jewish warmth, faith, and community with others. He was doing exactly what he had been sent to do, bringing light and joy into the public square, when his life was cut down," Krinsky eulogized, adding that Schlanger leaves behind a wife and children, including a two-month-old baby.
"Let us be clear: this was a treacherous act of terror, an attack on community, on goodness, and on light itself. It reflects a climate in which Jew-hatred has been allowed to grow and to turn violent. That reality must be confronted," he added.
"This moment demands accountability. Jewish life must be safeguarded through concrete, heightened measures to deter and rein in calls for violence against Jews. We call on governments and law-enforcement authorities to take responsibility, to strengthen security around Jewish institutions and public gatherings, particularly during Chanukah, when Jewish life is expressed openly and visibly," he added.
Local Sydney rabbi: 'My heart is broken'
A local Sydney rabbi, Netanel "Natti" Friedler, and his wife, Dvora, spoke to local media, describing his feelings at hearing about the mass shooting event.
"My heart is broken. A dear colleague and friend, Rabbi Schlanger, was murdered. We want to end this evening by sharing what we said to our children when we tucked them into bed. We reminded them that every time darkness seeks to harm the Jewish people, we always emerge stronger," Freidler said.
"Behind us is the candle of the first night of Hanukkah - the candle that will never be forgotten in Sydney," he continued.
"But even the small light that rises from that first candle carries with it the strength, history, faith, resilience, and power that we have shared for many years."
"Just a few days ago, we watched the light of the Hanukkah candles emanate from the Gaza tunnels. There, the six hostages, who shared faith and hope, lit the candle for all of us. They lit the candles, and now we must continue to light candles. We must continue to celebrate, and remain vigilant at the same time," he noted, recalling the footage of the "Beautiful Six" that was released on Thursday.
"We know how difficult this is, and our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, and with those who are at the bedside of the wounded in the hospital. We are all in this together," they concluded.
WJC Israel President Sylvan Adams: 'We are witnessing a global war against the Jews'
World Jewish Congress Israel President Sylvan Adams commented that "We are witnessing a global war against the Jews, and today it reached the heart of Australia."
"Our Australian Jewish brothers and sisters have endured months of escalating hostility and intimidation. This violent assault is the tragic result of an environment in which antisemitism has been allowed to grow unchecked," Adams added.
"The Australian Jewish community is one of the most vibrant and deeply rooted in the world. They deserve safety, dignity, and the unwavering protection of their government. As President of the World Jewish Congress Israel, I stand with them today in solidarity and sorrow, and I call on Australian leaders to confront this climate of hate with urgency and absolute moral clarity," he continued.
"In this global war against the Jews, the Jewish people stand united. We send strength, love, and resolute support to our community in Australia. The light of Chanukah will continue to shine, even in the face of terror," he concluded.
WZO Chairman Yaakov Hagoel: 'A deeply disturbing wave of antisemitic attacks'
"The ongoing wave of antisemitic attacks around the world is deeply disturbing and serves as a stark reminder of dark chapters in history," World Zionist Organization Chairman Yaakov Hagoel said.
"Since October 7, a war has been waged not only against the State of Israel, but against Jews everywhere - who have effectively become the eighth front in this war," he added.
"The World Zionist Organization will continue to stand firmly with the Jewish community in Sydney, as well as with Jewish communities worldwide, and will accompany them in every possible way," he affirmed.
"We call on the Government of Australia to take decisive and uncompromising action against every manifestation of antisemitism, and we are confident that it will do so," he stated.
WZO President Rabbi Doron Perez: 'Our hearts are bleeding for Sydney's Jewish community'
"Our hearts are bleeding in pain for every member of the Jewish community killed in Sydney and to the extended Sydney Jewish community," WZO President Doron Perez said.
"Just as you have stood by us for over 26 months of difficulty in Israel, we pray and stand together with you as our brothers and sisters, in solidarity and prayer at this painful time. We may be the smallest nation, but we are the biggest family. We are interlinked in our historic covenant of fate, family, and solidarity," he continued.
"To the Australian government, and indeed every national leader and person of influence who has failed to properly recognize and deter the escalating threat from terror and incitement – you must accept that this is the horrific and tragic result," he affirmed.
"How can it be that on a Jewish holiday celebrating religious freedom in a democratic country, which is entrusted to enshrine personal and religious freedom for all its citizens, that such a slaughter of innocents can happen at the hands of blood-thirsty terrorists? How much blood needs to be spilled before the dangerous scourge of Antisemitism in the guise of Anti-Zionism is taken seriously by the decision makers?" he asked.
EJC shocked by 'murderous attack'
The European Jewish Congress stated that it is "appalled and shocked by the murderous attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, Australia."
EJC also called out "the inaction of the government that has allowed hatred to go unpunished."
"Australia has long been thought to be a safe haven for Jews from around the world. Since 7 October 2023, however, constant attacks against synagogues and Jews, along with daily demonstrations glorifying terrorism and murder, have created a climate of violence and fear," the organization stated.
"It is unconscionable that Jewish families gathering to celebrate a joyous event in one of the most multicultural cities in the world should be slaughtered in cold blood by terrorists. Sadly, this is becoming an all too common experience for Jews around the world, and one that we too feel here in Europe," EJC President Dr Moshe Kantor added.
"Western democracies, including Australia, which should be the safest places for Jews, have today become some of the most unsafe. These governments must be more proactive in eliminating threats to daily Jewish life," he said.