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. At least 12 people were killed and almost 30 wounded when gunmen fired on a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday in what Australian police and officials described as a terrorist attack. One suspected gunman was killed and another was in a critical condition, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference.
At least 29 people were injured, including two police officers, and were taken to hospital, he said Police were investigating whether a third gunman was involved in the shooting, and a bomb disposal unit was working on several suspected improvised explosive devices, Lanyon said. The South African Department of International Relations & Cooperation extended condolences to Australia following the Sydney attacks: “The Government of the Republic of South Africa extends its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the people and government of the Commonwealth of Australia following the tragic terrorist attacks in Sydney. “Our thoughts are with all those affected, especially the families and friends of the victims.
We condemn this senseless violence, which appears to have targeted the Jewish faithful while they were lighting candles for Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. There is no justification for terrorism or attacks on any group based on faith or identity. “South Africa stands in solidarity with Australia during this period of mourning and grief.” The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) condemned the attack on the Sydney Jewish community and called on SA Jews to attend Chanukah candle-lighting tonight.
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“The SAJBD expresses its heartfelt solidarity and sympathy with the Australian Jewish community following the heinous terror attack in Sydney as the community joined to light Chanukah candles. We condemn this despicable shooting against Jewish people congregating for the first night of Chanukah. “This horror of this vicious terror attack resulted in the callous death of 11 community members with 29 seriously injured.
We remember the anti-Semitic rhetoric that has been circulating in Australia in the years since the October 7 massacre, including vicious chants outside the Sydney Opera House for calls to ‘gas Jews’. There is no doubt that these threatening words lead to action and all governments, including ours in South Africa, should take these calls seriously. “As South African Jewry light our Chanukah candles this evening, we will be thinking and praying for the Sydney community and for the full recovery of those injured.
Our condolences go to the families and friends of those murdered in this brutal shooting. We call on our community to attend the Chanukah lightings around the country so we can unite in support for the Jews of Sydney at this very difficult time. Now is the time to ensure that the light shines during such a dark day for world Jewry.
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