A tragic mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach has left at least 12 people dead, including the gunman, and 29 others hospitalized. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, December 14, 2025, has shaken the community and sparked widespread concern.
The attack unfolded around 6:45 p.m. local time when emergency services were alerted to the beach following reports of gunfire. The New South Wales Police confirmed the presence of a second gunman in critical condition and two injured police officers, in addition to the deceased gunman. The beach was abuzz with hundreds of people attending the annual 'Chanukah by the Sea' event, a joyous celebration of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese swiftly condemned the attack as a 'targeted assault on Jewish Australians' and a 'terrifying terrorist incident.' He emphasized, 'An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on all Australians, and we will not tolerate such hatred, violence, and terrorism in our nation.'
Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish movement, identified Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and a key organizer of the event, among the deceased. Video footage captured by onlookers depicted two gunmen with long guns firing from a footbridge, with one brave civilian disarming one of the gunmen.
Mass shootings are uncommon in Australia, primarily due to the country's stringent gun laws, which were enacted after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, where a lone gunman killed 35 people. This recent attack marks the first deadly mass shooting in Australia since 2022, when a similar incident occurred.
The attack has sparked international reactions, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accusing the Australian government of inaction against rising antisemitism during the Gaza war. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar expressed Israel's 'pain and sorrow' and highlighted a surge in antisemitism in Australia since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. The UN Chief and Israeli President have also called for stronger measures against antisemitism in Australia.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Jewish communities worldwide and the importance of unity and vigilance in the face of hate and violence.
