Canadian Jewish organizations call for action after mass shooting at Hanukkah event in Australia

Bondi Beach shot a 'new and terrible low' in antisemitic attacks, rabbi says

After Sydney assail, progressive MP says more needs to be done to protect Jewish communities

Bondi Beach shooting: Video shows bystander tackling armed man

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Jewish organizations across Canada are reacting to the Bondi Beach shooting.

Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, called for "urgent action" from governments and law enforcement to combat antisemitism.

Shack said CIJA is "devastated" and is in continuous contact with the Prime Minister's Office, Public Safety Canada, law enforcement, and provincial and municipal governments "to ensure steps are being taken to keep our community safe."

B'nai Brith Canada is calling on the Canadian government to protect Jewish schools, synagogues and community spaces, enforce hate crime laws and "shut down extremist networks and incitement."

In a statement, B'nai Brith urged the Canadian government, "Do not wait for a Canadian Bondi Beach."

"Our hearts are broken as we support and mourn with our brothers and sisters murdered and injured at Bondi Beach — for being Jewish," the statement said. "We also can't contain our outrage."

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Mass shootings in Australia are extremely rare, and the country is known for having some of the world's most restrictive and effective gun laws.

The government drastically tightened its laws after a 1996 mass shooting in the Tasmanian town of Port Arthur, where a lone gunman killed 35 people. The incident sparked a tightening of licensing requirements, restrictions on semiautomatic weapons and a requirement to have a "genuine reason" to own a gun.

The Bondi Beach shooting is the most deadly mass shooting since the 1996 restrictions were put in place.

But gun numbers in Australia are on the rise, and experts have warned of new threats including 3D-printed guns. The country's gun lobby has also been pushing to loosen regulations, and lobbyists have bragged they are "winning" that fight.

It is not yet known what types of guns the Bondi Beach shooters used, or how they were obtained.

After Sydney attack, Liberal MP says more needs to be done to protect Jewish communities

Housefather, who has been outspoken about antisemitism in Canada and around the world, said every Canadian should join a Hanukkah event today or tomorrow "because Jews should not be deterred from practising their religion in public in this country."

"We need to see Canadians of all faiths — especially our leaders — join them in doing that," Housefather told host Natasha Fatah.

At Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, where a large electric menorah is being lit to mark the first night of Hanukkah, police said they will "further intensify" measures, adding to "long-planned comprehensive security."

New York Mayor Eric Adams said extra protection was being deployed for Hanukkah celebrations in New York City, and security was doubled for a Sunday evening event in Warsaw's main synagogue.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre gave his thoughts on the shooting, in a year-end interview with my colleague Rosemary Barton.

"Our condolences for the families," Poilievre said. "This is another act of antisemitic evil and terrorism that have become all too common. This is what happens when we allow hate, terrorism, antisemitism to be normalized."

The Conservative leader added that Canada needs to reflect on rising antisemitism within the country and take a stand against hate.

According to Statistics Canada, there were 920 police-reported hate crimes against Jewish people in 2024. That exceeds the total of all hate crimes targeting other religious groups that year and represents a large jump from 527 reports in 2022.

Britain's King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were "appalled and saddened" by the shooting.

"My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach," Charles said in a statement posted on X.

"Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy."

Charles is the head of state for Australia, although the role is largely ceremonial.

A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada (GAC) says "Canada is horrified by the terror attack today on Bondi Beach in Australia. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy, as well as with the friends and family of the victims."

GAC also says it's not aware of any Canadian citizens impacted by the attack, but Canadian consular officials "stand ready to help any Canadians affected, as they work with partners to gather more information."

A previous post on this page incorrectly stated that a police officer was among those killed in the shooting. In fact, two police officers are among the 29 people taken to hospital with injuries. We have updated the post in question with the correct information.

Sunday's shootings were the most serious of a string of antisemitic attacks on synagogues, buildings and cars in Australia since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza in October 2023.

Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the shooting "cold blooded murder," said today he had warned Albanese that Australia's support for Palestinian statehood would fuel antisemitism, Reuters writes.

He added that in August he had told Albanese in a letter that the Australian government's policies were promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia.

"I wrote: 'Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets,'" Netanyahu said in a speech.

Albanese said on Aug. 11 that Australia would recognize a Palestinian state at September's UN General Assembly, a move that followed similar announcements by France, Britain and Canada.

Australian officials have provided a few updates since the shooting happened after 6 p.m. Local time.

What we know so far is that one of the suspected gunman was killed and a second is in critical condition.

Police are investigating whether a third gunman was involved, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a news conference.

Two police officers were among 29 people taken to hospital with injuries, he said.

A bomb-disposal unit was working on several suspected improvised explosive devices, Lanyon said.

Mike Burgess, a top Australian intelligence official, said one of the suspected attackers was known to authorities but had not been deemed an immediate threat, according to Reuters.

Around 1,000 people had attended the Hanukkah event, police said.

Albanese convened a meeting of the country's national security council.

"At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage," the Australian prime minister said.

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