Updated 15 December 5:45pm
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has extended condolences to the Jewish community and called for an end to an “atmosphere of antisemitism” in Australia following the deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach on 14 December.
Council members and faith leaders extended their deepest condolences to, and solidarity with, the Jewish community.
Leaders gathered at the meeting in Sydney included council chair Rev Dr Michael Stead of the Anglican Church of Australia, Imam Shadi Alsuleiman of the Australian National Imams Council, Rabbi Benjamin Elton, chief minister at Sydney’s Great Synagogue, and Buddhist, Hindu and other Christian leaders.
They reiterated a statement of the council and the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board extending sympathy to the victims and the Australian Jewish community.
“In the face of this tragedy, we call on the people of New South Wales to remain steadfast in our commitment to peace, humanity and to each other as Australians,” it read.
“We will not let hatred and violence divide us. Across all our cultures and faiths, will stand united in sympathy, compassion and solidarity.”
15 December 9am
Sydney was still reeling the morning after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd attending an evening event at a beachside park to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.
According to news reports 16 people have died, including a 10-year-old child, and an estimated 40 injured. National security agencies have declared it a terrorist incident.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as a targeted attack on the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah.
It occurred on Sunday evening during a ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ event. One alleged shooter was killed at the scene, while a second was taken into custody, reports said.
Christian, Muslim, and other faith leaders condemned the horrific shootings and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community.
“Any attack on individual Jews is an attack on the whole Jewish community and an affront to the Australian way of life, Archbishop Fisher said in a statement in which he called for an unequivocal condemnation of the attack and swift justice for the victims.
He also shared that he personally has Jewish heritage from his great-grandmother, and that as Christians “an attack on the Jews is an attack on all of us.”
“We all share in profound grief and righteous anger following last night’s terrorist attack on Bondi Beach,” the archbishop said.
“That a celebration of the Jewish feast of Hanukkah could end in at least 16 dead, including a young child, and many more injured, horrifies ordinary Australians.
Terrorist attack on Sydney’s Jewish community must lead to change
“The brazen and callous disregard for human life, and the hatred of some people toward all Jews, is an unspeakable evil that must be repudiated by every Australian.”
The archbishop also condemned a rise in antisemitism over the past two years.
“[It has] festered, leading to intimidation, division, and the normalisation of incendiary language.
“Opposite my own cathedral in Hyde Park there have been weekly demonstrations where inflammatory messages have been regularly articulated which could only have ‘turned up the temperature’ and perhaps contributed to radicalisation. This must stop.”
On behalf of Sydney’s Catholic community, the archbishop extended condolences to all those affected and said it would redouble its efforts to combat antisemitism through education and preaching.
“We have offered our educational and counselling services to our Jewish neighbours while any of their services are locked down or overwhelmed,” he said.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB extended condolences and praised the courage of first responders, saying the violence and horror at Bondi had “shaken Australians to the core.”
“In a country which prides itself on its tolerance and open-hearted hospitality this blind prejudice and hatred points to a dark and destructive stain in our society which threatens not just our Jewish brothers and sisters but, in fact, all of us,” he said.
“We must rediscover our conviction that nothing can ever justify this destructive violence,” he said.
The prayers of all people of religious faith will accompany those who, in the days, weeks and months ahead will be struggling with the physical, psychological and spiritual consequences of Sunday evening’s events, he added.
“We entrust those who have died to the love and mercy of God, in praying for their family and friends and for all those who have suffered injuries of any kind.
“We join with all those who condemn such terrible violence and plead with all Australians to reject any impulse towards hatred and violence and instead to recommit ourselves to being peacemakers in our families, amongst our friends and in our wider society.”
Maronite Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay also joined many faith leaders in responding in the hours following the attack.
“On this first day of Hanukkah, we stand in prayer and solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters who have been targeted by this attack. We pray for peace and condemn all acts of violence,” his statement said.
“We are grateful for our first responders who showed a lot of courage to save lives.
“We will keep all those affected by this tragedy in our prayers in this blessed season of the Birth of our Lord.”
At least 15 killed in anti-Jewish terror attack at Bondi Beach in Australia
In his first address following the shooting, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack was “an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation” and that an “attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.”
“Every Australian tonight will be, like me, devastated by this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence, and terrorism in our nation,” Albanese said.
“Let me be clear: we will eradicate it. Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith,” he added.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said what should have been “a night of peace and joy, celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.”
“Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight. I can only imagine the pain that they’re feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday,” he added.
More to come.
