Trump calls Sydney beach shooting a ‘purely antisemitic attack’; Albanese terms it ‘act of evil antisemitism’

As things stood, the licence held by one of the suspects entitled him ⁠to own the weapons ⁠he had, NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon told reporters.

US President Donald Trump has strongly condemned the mass shooting at a Jewish festival in Sydney’s Bondi Beach, describing it as a “purely antisemitic attack.”

Speaking during a Christmas celebration at the White House, Trump said, “That was a terrible attack, 11 dead, 29 badly wounded. And that was an antisemitic attack, obviously.”

While the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the attack as an “act of evil antisemitism,” the country continues to mourn the victims of one of its deadliest terror attacks in decades.

Australian authorities have declared the shooting an act of terror. The attack took place during a public Hanukkah celebration and left at least 16 people dead, including one of the gunmen, while around 40 others were wounded. Officials said hundreds of people were present when two attackers opened fire on the crowd.

Trump also praised a bystander who confronted one of the shooters, crediting him with saving lives. “Very, very brave person, who went and frontally attacked one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives. Very brave person, right now in the hospital, wounded. Great respect to the man that did that,” the US President said.

The man was later identified as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, a Sydney resident and fruit shop owner from Sutherland. He reportedly had no firearms training and intervened while passing through the area.

Authorities said one attacker was killed at the scene during the police response, while the second suspect remains in critical condition under guard. Two police officers were among those injured.

The shooting has triggered heightened security measures worldwide. New York Mayor Eric Adams announced increased protection for synagogues and Hanukkah events across the city. “We will continue to ensure the Jewish community can celebrate the holiday in safety — including at public Menorah lightings across the city. Let us pray for the injured and stand together against hatred,” Adams said in a post on X.

In Germany, Berlin police said security at synagogues and Jewish institutions would be strengthened during the Hanukkah period. According to Reuters, a Hanukkah event at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate will include prayers for the victims of the Bondi Beach attack.

London’s Metropolitan Police said there was no indication of a direct threat linked to the Sydney shooting but confirmed additional patrols and engagement with the Jewish community. “While there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning we are stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community to understand what more we can do in the coming hours and days,” the statement said.

Reuters also quoted France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez urging local authorities to reinforce security at Jewish places of worship between December 14 and 22, with particular focus on large public gatherings.