TRANSCRIPT
Chanukah is Judaism's annual festival of the light, which triumphs over darkness and evil.
And as mourners gathered in Jerusalem, holding vigil for the 15 people shot dead in Australia, they held that light and shared it.
“From Israel, we call on Jewish people across the world to light the candle of the Jewish people, as one community with one shared identity , no matter how hard they try, they will never succeed in demeaning our light . "The people of Israel are alive" (in Hebrew).”
That was Yehuda Setton, CEO of the Jewish Agency, sharing a message of solidarity - and love to those directly impacted.
“We are with you. Your pain is our pain. We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send comfort to the families of the bereaved, for their unimaginable losses.”
The Knesset - Israel's parliament - was lit to honour victims as Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, sent a pointed message.
“Because history will not forgive hesitation and weakness. It will honour action and strength. That is what Israel expects of each of your governments in the west and elsewhere.”
Farhan Haq - deputy spokeperson for United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, voiced his condemnation.
“The Secretary-General unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all its forms and reiterates that attacks on religious communities and peaceful celebrations, strike at the core values of tolerance, coexistence and human dignity.”
Bondi Beach has become a global icon - renown around the world as home to surfboards, sunburns and family fun.
Its golden sands reputation, making the globally shared videos of Sunday night's horror and chaos, all the more jarring and disturbing.
As news broke around the world, leaders paid tribute, including French president Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and British monarch King Charles.
The heads of state in Canada, the Palestinian authority - and notably, Iran - also shared their condolences and concern.
The Australian Government has accused Iran of being linked to two arson attacks on Melbourne synagogues last year [[2024]].
Posting on X, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said:
“We condemn the violent attack in Sydney, Australia. Terror and killing of human beings, wherever committed, is rejected and condemned.”
While US President Donald Trump, extended this message of support.
“And that was an antisemitic attack, obviously. And I just want to pay my respects to everybody, but to Australia and the Prime Minister, to everybody that we know so well we get along with so well. We have a great relationship. That's a terrible situation going on over there. Think of that.”
The American Friends of Lubavitch assembled on the White House lawn, with a rousing cry from Rabbi Levi Shemtov, who honoured his friend who had been killed in the attack.
“Echoing in my mind were the words that were said by Rabbi Eli Shlanger, my colleague (Yiddish), who said to a wave of antisemitic incidents in Sydney really. He said we have one response; be more Jewish, feel more Jewish, look more Jewish!" (applause, cheers)]]
That call, shared among the Jewish faithful in New York.
Attendees of the city's Hannukah celebration, marked the first night of the 8-day holy period with a show of defiance against hate and fear.
“We absolutely have to be here, because what happened is terrible. And I'm a Jew and I'm an American and I'm going to do Hannukah for as long as I can do Hannukah. Publicly.”
Police cars and security officers flanked the event, with attendees voicing their hope that this event would be safe.
“It's a horrible tragic situation and it's really sad because no matter how far we've come as far as acceptance of other cultures, there is still hate against people in the world and that should be stopped because it's unacceptable.”
In the outpouring of grief at news of the 15 deaths - messages of solidarity came with recriminations.
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, of the New North London Synagogue, said this was a sign antisemitism was homing in.
“Shocked, horrified, but not suprised, because the environment has been enabling, God forbid, this kind of thing to happen.”
Security was boosted at Hannukah events across Europe, with acknowledgements for the victims of Bondi at Hannukah events in Berlin, Paris and London, before the European Parliament observed a moment's silence on Monday.
President Roberta Metsola, honouring the victims and heroes of Bondi beach.
“Ten year-old Matilda and 87 year-old Holocaust survivor Alex, were among the victims hunted down by the gunmen as they were on the beach. Many others are still in hospital, some in critical condition. They are all in our thoughts, and I also want to recognise that we would be talking about countless more victims today, if it was not for the bravery of 43 year-old shopkeeper Ahmed who - unarmed- ran into the gunfire and disarmed one of the terrorists." (applause)]]
The bright light of bravery, shining through the dark.
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