{"id":70468,"date":"2025-12-14T18:31:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-14T18:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/70468\/"},"modified":"2025-12-14T18:31:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T18:31:09","slug":"mamdani-condemns-bondi-beach-attack-as-vile-act-of-antisemitic-terror-makes-pledge-to-jewish-new-yorkers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/70468\/","title":{"rendered":"Mamdani condemns Bondi Beach attack as ‘vile act of antisemitic terror,’ makes pledge to Jewish New Yorkers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani<\/a> decried the \u201cvile act of antisemitic terror\u201d that unfolded during a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach<\/a>, Australia on Sunday and vowed to \u201ckeep Jewish New Yorkers safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

During a Chanukah by the Sea event on the iconic Sydney beach on Sunday, at least two gunmen opened fire, killing 11 people, including children, and wounding at least 29 others. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney today was a vile act of antisemitic terror. I mourn those who were murdered and will be keeping their families, the Jewish community, and the Chabad movement in my prayers,\u201d Mamdani posted on X.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay the memories of all those killed be a blessing. While we are still waiting for all the facts to emerge, what we already know is devastating.\u201d<\/p>\n

The attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney today was a vile act of antisemitic terror. I mourn those who were murdered and will be keeping their families, the Jewish community, and the Chabad movement in my prayers. May the memories of all those killed be a blessing.<\/p>\n

While\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) December 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani vowed to protect Jewish New Yorkers. Stephen Yang for the NY Post<\/p>\n

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was one of the 11 killed in the tragic shooting. Facebook\/Eli Schlanger<\/p>\n

The incoming mayor noted that one of the victims is Rabbi Eli Schlanger, \u201cwho held deep ties to Crown Heights.\u201d <\/p>\n

Schlanger, whose wife had a newborn just two months ago, had penned a letter to the Australian Prime Minister a few weeks ago, urging him to be more supportive of Israel.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother Jewish community plunged into mourning and loss, a holiday of light so painfully reduced to a day of darkness, \u201cMamdani added. \u201cThis attack is merely the latest, most horrifying iteration in a growing pattern of violence targeted at Jewish people across the world.<\/p>\n

Australian authorities are investigating whether suspects were involved in the attack. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cToo many no longer feel safe to be themselves, to express their faith publicly, to worship in their synagogues without armed security stationed outside,\u201d he continued. \u201cWhat happened at Bondi is what many Jewish people fear will happen in their communities too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mamdani, the first Muslim elected mayor of New York City, had a strained relationship with the Jewish community on the campaign trail.<\/p>\n

Jewish leaders in the Big Apple were rattled by the democratic socialist\u2019s statements and policies including his ferocious criticism of Israel, backing of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, and reluctance to denounce the phrase \u201cglobalize the intifada.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Mamdani pledged to protect Jewish residents in his comments Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I am Mayor, I will work every day to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe\u2014on our streets, our subways, at shul, in every moment of every day,\u201d he stressed in his statement. \u201cLet this be a purpose shared by every New Yorker, and let us banish this horrific violence to the past.\u201d<\/p>\n

Children were injured and killed in the attack. BACKGRID<\/p>\n

Hundreds of people attended the Chanukah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach.<\/p>\n

Viral video captured a heroic man in a white shirt sneaking up on one of the gunmen and wrestling the shotgun away from him, saving many lives. <\/p>\n

Local media has identified the good Samaritan as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit shop owner.<\/p>\n

One of the suspected shooters was killed and another was wounded, according to local police who are investigating whether a third gunman participated. <\/p>\n

Sunday is the first day of Hanukkah.<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight, as Jewish New Yorkers light menorahs and usher in a first night of Hanukkah clouded by grief, let us look to his example and confront hatred with the urgency and action it demands,\u201d the incoming mayor added.<\/p>\n

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