Sixteen people were killed, and over 40 were injured on Sunday after two gunmen waged a horrific attack on a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
The shooters have been identified as a muslim father and son of Pakistani and Lebanese descent. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that the father (50) is now deceased, and the son (24) remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
“There were two improvised explosive devices found at the scene,” Lanyon told reporters at a Press Conference. “They were taken by our rescue and bomb disposal unit. They were found to be active devices, so they were taken back and rendered safe by our police.”
The age range of those killed in the massacre was between ten and eighty-seven.
According to the Zionist Federation of Australia, approximately 2,000 members of the Jewish community were present on the beach, celebrating the lighting of the first candle of Hanukkah.
“This is a day of profound grief. Members of our community have been murdered,” Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler stated. “Others have been seriously injured. Families are shattered. A sacred moment of light has been turned into darkness. We are working urgently with authorities as further details are confirmed. Our focus right now is on the victims, their families, and the safety of the community.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar was quick to respond to the deadly massacre, lambasting the Australian government’s inaction regarding antisemitism as a key component leading to the attack.
“I’m appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia,” Sa’ar wrote. “These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of ‘Globalise the Intifada’ that were realized today. The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses.”
Amir Tsarfati, Founder and President of Behold Israel, commented on the attack, highlighting the sobering reality of rising Jew hatred cloaked in “Justice for Palestine.”
“How will they justify it? Has the Australian Jewish community invaded Gaza or taken ‘innocent lives’? Of course notโbecause this has never been about Gaza. It has always been about the very existence of the Jewish peopleโeverywhere and at all times,” Tsarfati emphasized. “Tonight, we light the first Hanukkah candle and declare with clarity and conviction: Am Yisrael Chai โ the people of Israel live.”
Daniel Cohen, News Director for Jack Hibbs’ Real Life Network, reacted to the news by issuing an urgent warning and call for prayer.
“Jewish communities are paying the price as antisemitism exploded in the name of ‘tolerance.’ This isnโt ‘diversity,’ Itโs cowardice disguised as virtue,” he underscored. “PLEASE PRAY for the victims.“
Harbingerโs Pressย is a division of Harbingerโs Daily News Media.
