Skip next section EU leaders condemn Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack
12/14/2025December 14, 2025EU leaders condemn Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack
Senior European Union officials have expressed outrage over the deadly shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X that she was “shocked” by the attack, which targeted a Jewish event on the first night of Hanukkah, adding that Europe stood with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere and was united against violence, antisemitism, and hatred.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said she was “absolutely horrified” by images of what she called an appalling attack as Hanukkah celebrations began. She said her thoughts were with the victims and the wider Jewish community in Australia and beyond, adding that this light would not be extinguished.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she was deeply shocked by images from the shooting at the Hanukkah celebrations.
She said the violence against the Jewish community must be unequivocally condemned and added that Europe stood in full solidarity with Australia, which she described as one of Europe’s closest friends.
https://p.dw.com/p/55KKW
Skip next section Germany condemns Sydney Hanukkah attack
12/14/2025December 14, 2025Germany condemns Sydney Hanukkah attack
Germany has expressed shock over the terrorist attack in Sydney on the first day of Hanukkah.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday said he was left “speechless” by the attack.
“This is an attack on our shared values. We must put a stop to this antisemitism — here in Germany and worldwide,” Merz said in a post on the social media platform X.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrote on X that the attack was an act of hatred directed at Jews worldwide and said his thoughts were with the families of those killed, the injured, and the Jewish community.
https://p.dw.com/p/55KDR
Skip next section Albanese condemns attack on Jewish Australians
12/14/2025December 14, 2025Albanese condemns attack on Jewish Australians
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said security agencies are investigating the attackImage: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the shooting was a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah.
He said it should have been a day of joy and a celebration of faith, describing the violence as antisemitic terrorism that struck at the heart of the nation.
“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian,” Albanese said.
He added that Australians were devastated by what he called an attack on the country’s way of life.
https://p.dw.com/p/55KD4
Skip next section Videos show chaos during Bondi Beach shooting
12/14/2025December 14, 2025Videos show chaos during Bondi Beach shooting
Videos circulating on X have appeared to show people on the beach and in a nearby park scattering as multiple gunshots and police sirens were heard.
One clip showed a man in a black shirt firing a large weapon before being tackled by a man in a white T-shirt, who wrestled the weapon away, while another video appeared to show a different man firing from a pedestrian bridge.
Separate footage showed two men pinned to the ground by uniformed police on a small pedestrian bridge.
Officers were seen attempting to resuscitate one of the men.
https://p.dw.com/p/55K7K
Skip next section Australian police declare Bondi Beach shooting terrorist attack
12/14/2025December 14, 2025Australian police declare Bondi Beach shooting terrorist attack
Australian police have declared the deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach a terrorist incident and said an improvised explosive device has been found linked to a suspect.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a news conference on Sunday, “As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight at 9:36 p.m. this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident.”
Lanyon said police had also located an explosive device connected to one of the attackers.
“We have found an improvised explosive device in a car which is linked to the deceased offender,” he said.
Police said at least 29 people were wounded in the attack. Two of those injured were police officers, Lanyon said.
https://p.dw.com/p/55KBe
Skip next section Eyewitnesses describe chaos in Bondi Beach shooting
12/14/2025December 14, 2025Eyewitnesses describe chaos in Bondi Beach shooting
Authorities fear the death toll in the shooting could grow Image: Saeed Khan/AFP
Eyewitnesses have described scenes of chaos during the shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, with reports of dozens of gunshots.
Witnesses told broadcaster Sky News they heard about 50 shots that sounded like a rifle and described seeing “huge, black guns” as people ran in panic.
A close-up image of one firearm appeared to show a pump action shotgun, a highly restricted weapon that requires a Category C or Category D firearms license in Australia.
Hundreds of people were seen fleeing the area around 6.40 p.m. on Sunday, with video showing two men dressed in black firing weapons near the beach car park.
Sky News said a girl, about 10 years old, was among those shot. A doctor who asked not to be named told the network the child was “bleeding profusely” before being taken away by ambulance.
https://p.dw.com/p/55K8G
Skip next section Australian Muslim leaders condemn Bondi Beach shooting
12/14/2025December 14, 2025Australian Muslim leaders condemn Bondi Beach shooting
A major Australian Muslim organization has condemned a shooting that killed 10 people on Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
The Australian National Imams Council said in a statement the attack was “horrific” and said its thoughts and prayers were with the victims, their families, and all those affected.
The council said the shooting was deeply traumatic and called on Australians to stand together.
“This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity,” it said.
https://p.dw.com/p/55K62
Skip next section Israeli president laments ‘cruel attack’
12/14/2025December 14, 2025Israeli president laments ‘cruel attack’
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has mourned the loss of life, saying the attack had been intentionally aimed at Jews celebrating the start of the festival of Hanukkah.
“At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach,” Herzog said, according to a statement from his office in Jerusalem.
“The heart of the entire nation of Israel misses a beat at this very moment, as we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives.”
https://p.dw.com/p/55K60
Skip next section Ten confirmed dead after shooting at Bondi Beach
12/14/2025December 14, 2025Ten confirmed dead after shooting at Bondi Beach
Authorities said 10 people have been confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the shooters, while the second alleged attacker is in critical condition.
Police said a further 11 people have been injured. Two of those wounded are police officers.
https://p.dw.com/p/55K4M
Skip next section Target of attack appears to have been Jewish Hanukkah celebration
12/14/2025December 14, 2025Target of attack appears to have been Jewish Hanukkah celebration
The attack appeared to target a Jewish event, to mark the first day of Hanukkah on Sunday.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told Sky News the attack occurred during what he described as a joyful community gathering and said his media adviser was wounded.
“This is the Jewish community at its best coming together to mark a happy occasion. If we were targeted deliberately in this way, it’s something of a scale that none of us could have ever fathomed. It’s a horrific thing,” he said.
https://p.dw.com/p/55K2X
Skip next section One suspect reported shot dead
12/14/2025December 14, 2025One suspect reported shot dead
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that one suspected shooter had been shot by police, while another was detained. Police have not confirmed those details.
Videos circulating on X appeared to show people scattering across Bondi Beach as multiple gunshots and police sirens were heard.
Another video showed two men pinned to the ground by uniformed police on a small pedestrian bridge, with officers appearing to try to resuscitate one of them
Several people were reported wounded in the shooting Image: Mark Baker/AP Photo/picture alliance
https://p.dw.com/p/55K2W
Skip next section Police say 2 detained after multiple gunshots12/14/2025December 14, 2025Police say 2 detained after multiple gunshots
New South Wales police said Sunday two people were in custody after multiple gunshots were heard at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach.
Police said officers were responding to a “developing incident” and urged the public to avoid the area and take shelter if already nearby.
Police warned that the operation was ongoing and instructed people to obey police directions and avoid crossing police lines.
https://p.dw.com/p/55K2V