Horror over terrorist attack on a Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach in Sydney

https://www.deutscher-koordinierungsrat.de/dkr-home-Stellungnahme-Bondi-Beach-Sidney-2025 

The German Coordinating Council of Societies for Christian-Jewish Cooperation (DKR) reacted with horror and immense sorrow to the horrific terrorist attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

So far, 16 people have been killed and 40 others injured. More than 1,000 members of the Jewish community had gathered on the beach to light the first candle on the first day of Hanukkah. Anti-Semitic terrorists opened fire on the joyous celebration with assault rifles, and people fled in panic. One of the participants managed to overpower and disarm an attacker. An incredible act of heroism that prevented further suffering among the assembled group.

The Australian government has unequivocally classified the terrorist attack as an "anti-Semitic attack." In the wake of Israel's war against the terrorist group Hamas, Australia has seen a sharp increase in one-sided accusations and incitement against Israel over the past two years, as well as a rise in anti-Semitic attacks. Jews have been threatened, and Jewish institutions, particularly synagogues, have been targeted. The terrorist attack on Bondi Beach represents a further horrific escalation of anti-Semitism on the southern continent.

The Australian government and all sectors of society in the country must do everything in their power to stop these intolerable excesses of antisemitism! The terrorist attack in Sydney must finally serve as a wake-up call for everyone, not just in the Southern Hemisphere.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and all those injured. We hope and pray that all survivors can be rescued.

Antisemitism is a serious threat to us all. We must resolutely oppose it.

For the board of directors, the executive committee:
Dr. Margaretha Hackermeier, Catholic President of the German Catholic Church (DKR)
Rabbi Prof. Dr. Andreas Nachama, Jewish President of the German Red Cross (DRK)
Friedhelm Pieper, Evangelical President DKR