Global leaders express horror and solidarity after a terrorist shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach kills 11 during a Hanukkah celebration
BRUSSELS: World leaders have voiced horror and revulsion at a mass shooting in Sydney that killed 11 people.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the “shocking and distressing” attack at Bondi Beach “beyond comprehension”.
Australian police are treating the incident, where assailants fired on a gathering celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, as a terrorist act.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned what he called a “very cruel attack on Jews” by “vile terrorists”.
In a speech in Jerusalem, he called on Australia to “fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society”.
US President Donald Trump branded it “a purely antisemitic attack”.
“That was a terrible attack, 11 dead, 29 badly wounded,” Trump said during a White House Christmas celebration.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that antisemitism has no place in the world.
Britain’s King Charles III said he was “appalled” by the “most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “deeply distressing” and sent condolences to those affected.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was “horrified” by the “heinous deadly attack”.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said she was “shocked” by an “appalling act of violence”.
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the shooting, rejecting “all forms of violence, terrorism and extremism”.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman also condemned the “terror and killing of human beings”.
French President Emmanuel Macron vowed France would “fight relentlessly against antisemitic hatred”.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed “profound grief” and condemned all forms of violence and antisemitism.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he was “deeply shocked by the terrorist attack in Sydney”.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “horrified by the antisemitic terror attack”. – AFP
