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Bondi Beach shooting: US condemns ‘terrorist’ attack in Sydney, issues bold message against antisemitism
The US strongly condemned the Bondi Beach shooting, referred to as a terrorist attack by Australian officials.
The United States has expressed its strong condemnation of the Bondi Beach shooting, which has been dubbed as a “terrorist attack” by Australian authorities, asserted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia,” Rubio wrote in a post on X.
Bondi Beach shooting: 12 killed in attack on Jewish Hanukkah celebration
At least 12 people, including children and a police officer, lost their lives, and nearly 29 others sustained injuries after assailants opened fire at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday evening. Authorities have classified this incident as a targeted terrorist attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration.
According to Australian officials, two gunmen executed the attack during an event known as Chanukah (widely knows as Hanukkah) by the Sea, which was organized to commemorate the commencement of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Hundreds of attendees had assembled at Bondi Beach Park, close to a playground for children, when the gunfire erupted.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” stated New South Wales Premier Chris Minns. Lanyon remarked that the occurrence was classified as a terrorist attack because of the specific nature of the targeted event and the weapons employed.
Bondi Beach shooting gunman identified?
Authorities have identified one of the assailants as Naveed Akram, 24. His residence in Bonnyrigg, Sydney, is currently under investigation and being searched.
Police shot dead one of the gunmen at the location, while the other was apprehended after sustaining injuries and is now in critical condition. Among the injured are two police officers, stated New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who also mentioned that the death toll remains “fluid” as more wounded individuals continue to be admitted to hospitals.
PM Anthony Albanese condemns ‘targeted attack’ on Jewish Australians
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his devastation over the massacre, describing it as “a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy.”
He emphasized that there is no room for such hate, violence, and terrorism in our country, and noted that authorities are actively working to identify all individuals involved. In response to the attack, Albanese subsequently called for an emergency meeting of the Cabinet’s National Security Committee.
