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Dear A.,
We awoke this morning to the horrific news from Australia, where 16 people were senselessly murdered and at least 40 others were wounded as terrorists opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
We join with the Jewish community in Australia grieving tonight, and pray for a full and fast recovery of those injured.
American leaders in the Trump administration and in Congress are standing with the Jewish community in the aftermath of this barbaric attack.
In a message to American Jews on the first night of Hanukkah, President Trump said, "Be proud of who you are - celebrate proudly."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: "The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration. Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia.
Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz: "The horrific and deadly terrorist attack on a Jewish holiday celebration in Sydney is a sickening reminder that antisemitism remains a global threat. Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States will confront this hatred—at the UN and around the world—without apology or hesitation."
Congressional leaders offered support for the Jewish community and condemned the terror attack.
House Speaker Mike Johnson: "The tragic news this morning of the appalling antisemitic terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community in Australia on the first night of Hanukkah is another wake-up call. As we pray for the victims and their families, we stand in solidarity with Jewish communities around the world. Jewish people must be free to practice their faith openly and without fear. Antisemitism must be confronted and defeated wherever it appears."
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries: "I am horrified by the terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community of Australia celebrating the first night of Hanukkah...It is our collective responsibility to aggressively eradicate the poison of antisemitism whenever and wherever it is found. The perpetrators of this heinous act of terrorism must be swiftly brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law."
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise: "America stands with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia in the wake of the horrific antisemitic terrorist attack in Sydney. We are praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Jewish community. Antisemitism has no place in this world."
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer: "The horrific antisemitic terrorist attack at a Hanukkah festival in Sydney is beyond appalling. It is a shocking reminder that antisemitism and hate is not only toxic and far too present and widespread around the world, it is deadly. It must be vigorously condemned, confronted and overcome."
Senator Ted Cruz: "Today’s attack on Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Australia was an act of barbaric, antisemitic terrorism. It was the outrageous, but all-too-predictable result of far too many leaders around the world tolerating and even fomenting hatred of Jews, instead of countering the evil of antisemitism with moral clarity and unrelenting condemnation. Heidi and I are praying for the families of the victims and hoping for the quick recovery of those injured."
AIPAC is sharing congressional statements on our X feed.
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View them here .
Israeli leaders stand with the Jewish community, condemn Australian government's inaction
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
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condemned the horrific attack and denounced the inaction of the Australian government to curb antisemitism: "On August 17, about 4 months ago, I sent Prime Minister Albanese of Australia a letter in which I gave him warning that the Australian government's policy was promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia.
"I wrote: 'Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets.'
"Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent; it retreats when leaders act. I call upon you to replace weakness with action, appeasement with resolve."
Israeli President Isaac Herzog: "Time and again we called on the Australian government to take action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism that is plaguing Australian society."
"The Jewish people are strong, resilient, and united, and our message is clear: The Hanukkah lights must go on and will be lit all over the world, especially in Bondi Beach, in Sydney, and all over Australia."
Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid: "I’m horrified by the antisemitic terrorist attack targeting Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Jewish community in Australia.
Boulder. Manchester. Washington. And now Sydney. The names of more and more cities around the world are becoming synonymous with deadly attacks against Jews. Stopping these horrors requires immediate, decisive intervention at all levels. Enough is enough."
Australia, Qatar, New Zealand leaders exclude references to Jews, Hanukkah, or antisemitism
In the aftermath of the attack, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese put out
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a statement that made no mention of Jews, Hanukkah, terrorism, or antisemitism.
The Qatari foreign ministry published
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three sentences about the attack without any reference to the Jewish community.
New Zealand's prime minister issued similarly
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empty words , offering "thoughts" to "those affected."
Pro-Israel human rights lawyer Arsen Ostrovsky, injured in the attack: "We will prevail."
Arsen Ostrovsky, a prominent human rights attorney, pro-Israel advocate, and friend of the AIPAC community, was grazed by a bullet and miraculously survived the attack.
In a
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post this morning, Arsen wrote:
"I lived through Oct 7th. Never imagined I’d see this horror in Australia. Bullet grazed my head. Doctors said miracle survived, but will make recovery.
Tonight is 1st night of Chanukah. The forces of darkness and hate will never triumph. We will prevail. Am Yisrael Chai ✡️"
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As we light the first Hanukkah candle tonight, may Arsen's courage and resilience in the face of evil inspire us with renewed hope and resolve. Together, we mourn with the families of those murdered and pray for the recovery of all who were injured.
Jake Braunstein
Senior Director, Policy Communications
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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