Reactions to Hanukkah Shooting in Sydney
Responding to the tragic mass shooting during Hanukkah celebrations in Sydney, several Hollywood figures including Gal Gadot, Ashton Kutcher, and Rebel Wilson expressed their sorrow and outrage.
On December 14th, two gunmen attacked the annual Hanukkah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach, where members of the Jewish community were gathered to light the first candle of the menorah.
According to officials from the New South Wales Police Force, the shooting left 16 people dead, one of whom was one of the suspects. The other suspect remains in critical condition.
Gal Gadot shared her heartbreak on Instagram, stating, “The grief after the anti-Semitic terrorist attack on Australia’s Bondi Beach is immeasurable. Fifteen innocent souls, including Holocaust survivors, rabbis, and children, were senselessly murdered while celebrating the first night of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.”
She emphasized the importance of light over despair, declaring, “Rather than silence, we must honor the victims by demanding a world where all lives are safe and choosing empathy and solidarity above all.”
“Let’s send light into the darkness,” Gadot urged, lighting a candle in honor of the victims.
Ashton Kutcher remarked on X, “Anti-Semitic rhetoric is not abstract. It comes at a price.” He hoped for a “hidden miracle” to emerge from this tragedy.
Rebel Wilson shared her thoughts on her Instagram Stories, calling the incident “the most un-Australian tragedy.” She expressed her hope for a future without gun violence and anti-Semitism in Australia.
Sarah Foster, in a post on X, said that prayers were insufficient for the affected families, urging a need for awareness about the ongoing hate crimes against Jews.
President Donald Trump encouraged Americans to “celebrate with pride” without fear during this Jewish holiday.
King Charles III also released a statement expressing his sorrow over the “most horrific anti-Semitic terrorist attack.” He commended the efforts of the police and emergency services for their heroic actions during the chaos.
The shooting, labeled an act of terrorism by authorities, has become the deadliest incident against the Jewish community since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Responding to reports of gunfire around 6:45 p.m., police confirmed the involvement of at least two gunmen and are looking into the possibility of a third.
In total, 29 individuals, including two police officers, were treated in hospitals following the attack.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog acknowledged the tragedy, stating, “Our hearts go out to them,” while attending an event in Jerusalem celebrating the achievements of migrants. He stressed his solidarity with the victims in Sydney amidst this brutal attack.
