Washington DC [US], December 15 (ANI): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (local time) spoke with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong about the antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which struck members of the Jewish community celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.
In a statement attributed to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the US State Department said Rubio “had a call today with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong to discuss the antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.” The statement said the United States “strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Hanukkah celebration hosted by Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi.” Quoting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, it added that the incident was “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism.”
“We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and with the Australian people as we pray for the victims and their families,” the statement continued, praising Australian first responders and bystanders for their “heroic response.” It also noted the festival’s significance: “As Jews around the world light Hanukkah candles tonight, they commemorate the triumph of light over darkness and the long history of Jewish resilience in the face of oppression. No community should have to fear publicly celebrating their faith and traditions due to the threat of extremist violence and terror. There can be no compromise with antisemitism – this scourge must be confronted and defeated.”
Australian authorities have confirmed the death toll from the shooting has risen to 16, with at least 40 people still hospitalised. The New South Wales Police Force posted on X that “Police can confirm 16 people have died, and 40 people remain in hospital following yesterday’s shooting at Bondi. More information will be made available soon.” CNN reported a Jewish community representative confirmed that a 12-year-old girl and a rabbi were among those killed.
Police said the Bondi Beach area remains sealed off as investigations continue. “Bondi Beach and surrounding roads in the Bondi area will be closed today as investigators continue to work through the crime scene. Aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying over the crime scene,” the force said in a separate X post.
Prime Minister Albanese called the incident a “devastating terror attack” in an address to the nation and expressed solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community. He thanked police for their response, noting that off-duty officers arrived at Bondi to help and praising their dedication and courage after receiving a briefing at Bondi Police Station.
Earlier, Rubio posted on X: “The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration.” He added, “Antisemitism has no place in this world,” and offered prayers for the victims, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
