Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, where at least 11 people were murdered, and several more were wounded.
Albanese called the scenes "shocking and distressing" and urged those in the area to follow police instructions. He convened a meeting of the country's national security council and condemned the attack, saying the evil that was unleashed was "beyond comprehension."
"Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives," the statement went on. "My thoughts are with every person affected."
"The terror attack at Bondi at the start of Hanukkah is abhorrent. Terrorism, antisemitism, violence, and hate have no place in Australia," Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in her own statement. "We hope for the full recovery of all injured, and we stand in solidarity with the Australian Jewish community."
"Thank you to the emergency services and to the everyday Australians who showed courage in the face of such terror."
The Australian National Imams Council strongly condemned the attack in a statement, and added that "acts of violence and crimes have no place in our society."
"This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity, rejecting violence in all its forms and affirming our shared commitment to social harmony and the safety of all Australians," the statement read.
World condemns shooting at Bondi Beach
The United States "strongly condemns" the attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday in which 12 people were killed and almost 30 wounded when gunmen fired on a Jewish holiday event, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on Sunday.
"Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia," Rubio wrote in a post on X.
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pushed for others to rededicate themselves to "fighting the scourge of hate."
New York City Mayoral Elect Zohran Mamdani called the incident "a vile act of antisemitic terror."
"When I am Mayor, I will work every day to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe—on our streets, our subways, at shul, in every moment of every day. Let this be a purpose shared by every New Yorker, and let us banish this horrific violence to the past."
"I am horrified and condemn today’s heinous, deadly attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hanukkah," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed the sentiment in a Sunday post to X/Twitter. "My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hanukkah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness."
Qatar's Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning the deadly Bondi Beach mass shooting, reiterating "the State of Qatar's firm stance against violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of the motives or reasons."
"The Ministry expresses the State of Qatar's condolences to the families of the victims and its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured."
'Europe stands with Australia, Jewish communities everywhere'
"Shocked by the tragic attack at Bondi Beach," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote in her own post to X, sending her "heartfelt condolences" to those affected.
"Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere," her post concluded. "We are united against violence, antisemitism, and hatred."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the terror attack in his own post on X, an hour after wishing the Jewish community a "Chanukah Sameach" in a separate post.
"Deeply distressing news from Australia," his post read, noting that he is "I’m being kept updated on the developing situation."
"Absolutely heartbreaking news is emerging of an unspeakable atrocity on Bondi Beach in Sydney, where a Chanukah event was taking place," Britain's Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said on the attack, publishing the Hebrew names of eight of the wounded on X.
"Please join me in praying for them, that they will have a refuah shelema, a complete and swift recovery."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that his country "stands with the people of Australia and Jewish people everywhere in sorrow, and determination never to bow to terrorism, violence, hatred and intimidation."