CONTENT WARNING: This article contains distressing content.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns have shared their support for Australia’s Jewish community following the deadly Bondi Beach shooting, with Minns defining it as an “attack [that] was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community”.
At about 6.45pm, Sunday, gunmen opened fire on Sydney’s bustling Bondi Beach, leaving 12 dead — including one alleged gunman — and multiple injured, including two police officers.
The horrific incident took place during Bondi’s Chanukkah by the Sea, an event celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.
In a press conference, Albanese declared the shooting as “an attack on Jewish Australia” as well as “an attack on every Australian”.
“There has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Hanukkah by the sea celebration. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, an act of evil, anti-Semitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation,” Albanese said.
“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian and every Australian.
“There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it.”
Albanese went on to address the Jewish community directly, stating they have “the right to worship and study and live and work in peace and safety”.
“You enrich us as a nation. You should never have to endure the loss that you have suffered today. You should never know the fear that you know tonight,” Albanese added.
Minns echoed Albanese’s statement and support for Australia’s Jewish community, labelling the shootings as a “cowardly act”.
“This cowardly act of terrifying violence is shocking and painful to see, and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney,” Minns said.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community. On the first day of Hanukkah. 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,” Minns continued.
“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.
“It’s a responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australia’s Jewish community and help them get through this incredibly difficult period.”
Investigations into the incident are currently ongoing with the NSW Police Force’s rescue bomb disposal unit investigating a car that’s believed to have several improvised explosive devices found at Bondi’s Campbell Parade.
“As part of the investigation and shortly after the shooting occured, police located a vehicle in Campbell Parade at Bondi, which we believe has several improvised explosive devices. We have our rescue bomb disposal unit there at the moment working on that,” NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.
The identities of the alleged gunmen have not been released.
The tragic incident has become the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since Port Arthur in 1996, which promoted Australia’s strict gun laws.
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