ECAJ statement following the terrorist attack on the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

The Jewish community is in mourning following the massacre of innocent Aus­trali­ans including Jews cel­eb­rat­ing the festival of Chanukah.

We express our heartfelt sorrow and con­dol­ences to the families of those who were coldly and cal­cu­latedly slain in a terrorist attack of unfathom­able evil, and our wishes for a complete and speedy recovery to those injured.

We express our profound gratitude to the police, first respon­ders and cour­ageous citizens whose actions prevented even greater loss of life.

We acknow­ledge the strong words of the Prime Minister and Premier of NSW and their com­mit­ment to eradicate the evil of antisemitism in Australia.

The time for talking is over.  We need decisive lead­er­ship and action now to eradicate the scourge of antisemitism from Australia’s public life, for which the Jewish community has long been advoc­at­ing. Government’s first duty is to keep its citizens safe. 

The shooting attack targeted the Jewish community but it took place at Bondi Beach, the people’s beach, on what should have been a carefree summer’s day. It was an attack on all Aus­trali­ans, our freedoms and our way of life.