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Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the shooting at Sydney\u2019s Bondi Beach on Sunday amounted to an attack on the Jewish community.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“Our hearts go out to them,” Herzog said. “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.”<\/p>\n
The president said Israel had repeatedly called for action to confront what he described as a “enormous wave” of anti-Semitism affecting Australian society.<\/p>\n
According to initial reports, a Jewish Hanukkah event was the target of the evening attack on the iconic beach in eastern Sydeny. Sunday marks the first day of Hanukkah.<\/p>\n
Australian media reported that dozens of shots were fired and that there were multiple casualties.<\/p>\n
Law enforcement officials have said that two people are in custody but have not given any further details on the nature of the attack, the suspects or the victims.<\/p>\n
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, a global surge in anti-Semitism has been observed, including attacks on Jews and synagogues, with criticism of Israel in some cases spilling over into hatred of Jews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n