Bay Area Jewish & Elected Leaders "Heartbroken" After Australian Hanukkah Terrorist Attack

BAY AREA — An outpouring of grief and condemnation continued from Bay Area leaders in government and the Jewish community Sunday after authorities in Sydney, Australia revised upward the number of people killed and injured in a terrorist attack on Jewish people gathered to celebrate the first night Hanukkah at Bondi Beach.

As of Sunday afternoon in California, sixteen people were killed in the attack, which was carried out with long guns. That figure included one of the two suspects, according to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who spoke at a press conference streamed online.

New South Wales Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon said 42 people were hospitalized, including some with critical injuries. Those included two police officers who were in critical but stable condition, as well as the other suspected attacker, Lanyon said.

Lanyon said during the press conference that the two were identified as a 50-year-old and 24-year-old father and son but did not name them. The elder was killed during the attack and the younger man was in critical but stable condition. Authorities did not believe there were any other people involved in the attack.

The mass shooting targeted a menorah lighting ceremony in a park at the popular tourist destination that was attended by "well over 1,000 people," Lanyon said at an earlier press conference.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the well-known beach was usually associated with joy, celebrations and of families gathering, but was "forever tarnished" by what he called "an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism" and a "terrorist attack on our shores."

The Jewish Community Relations Council, or JCRC, a Bay Area Jewish advocacy organization, denounced the attack in a statement Sunday and called on community and elected leaders to show up to public menorah lightings as a show of solidarity.

"Today, as we prepare to light the first candle of Hanukkah, Jewish communities around the world are reeling from news of a horrific mass shooting during a large public Menorah lighting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia," the organization said in a statement.

"It is critical for our nation's leaders to counter the dehumanization of Jews and Israelis, and stop the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric in public discourse. Today's events are another reminder of where this hatred can lead," the Jewish Community Relations Council said.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie expressed his sorrow in a statement on X.

"I am heartbroken by the devastating attack in Sydney. Hate and antisemitism have no place in our world or in San Francisco," Lurie said.

"As the San Francisco Jewish community gathers to celebrate the start of the Hanukkah season, the San Francisco Police Department and our public safety partners are prepared and will be in close coordination to ensure everyone can observe the holiday safely and peacefully, he said.

The San Francisco Police Department said in a statement that it was not aware of any threats in the city but was increasing patrols at Jewish places of worship and events, which are scheduled throughout the week as Hanukkah begins.

The San Jose Police Department similarly said its officers were increasing their presence in the city but was not aware of any active threats.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan also took to X to express his grief and outrage.

"To wake up to news of terror, loss and heartbreak on the first night of Hanukkah is devastating," Mahan said. "This is an attack on our values. I am praying for the Jewish community, particularly those injured and for the families of those who have been lost."

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee released a statement saying she and the city were mourning the loss of life and said Oakland would support its Jewish community.

Families gathered to celebrate a festival of light and hope were deliberately targeted, a stark reminder that hatred remains a global threat," Lee said.

"As Oakland's Jewish community continues Hanukkah celebrations this week, know that this city stands with you. Oakland's strength has always come from our diversity and our unwavering commitment to protecting all residents from hate and violence," she said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom called the shooting a "vile act of terror" in a statement on X.

"California's heart is with Australia today as we stand with the Jewish community worldwide against a rising tide of antisemitic violence and hate," Newsom said. "Antisemitism has no place in our world." Rabbi Moshe Langer, a rabbi at Chabad San Francisco, said the 50th annual public lighting of the Bill Graham Menorah in Union Square would go on as planned.

Lurie is scheduled to attend the 5 p.m. lighting ceremony along with state Sen. Scott Wiener and other local leaders.

"We stand in solidarity and prayer with those who were injured and with the families who have lost their loved ones," Langer said in a statement from Chabad San Francisco.

"When there is darkness, we must bring light. We will not allow fear or terror to silence us or cause us to retreat. We will be lighting the menorah as planned," he said.

Wiener said in a statement that he was mourning the lives lost and called for an end to antisemitism.

Other events around the Bay Area Sunday and throughout the week sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council can be found at https://mailchi.mp/jcrc/celebrate-hanukkah-with-jcrc-around-the-bay-area.


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