‘Australia has looked away as hatred of Jews intensified. That silence led to today’s attack.’
International March of the Living issued the following statement regarding the terrorist shooting at a Chanukah event in Bondi Beach, Australia, in which dozens have been reported killed or seriously injured:
“This was not an isolated act of violence. The hate marches on Australian streets, the relentless antisemitic attacks, the normalization of antisemitic discourse, and the baseless accusations of genocide against Israel have all created the conditions that enabled this antisemitic act of terror. For too long, Australia has looked away as hatred of Jews intensified. Today, that silence has led to an atrocity whose full scope is still emerging.”
“When the world falsely accuses Israel of genocide following the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel, when anti-Israel protesters around the world defend the actions of Hamas as “resistance”, and when students on college campuses loudly chant,” Globalize the Intifada”, what happened at Bondi Beach on the first night of Hanukah is the tragic result”, stated Scott Saunders, CEO of the International March of the Living.
“We pray for the victims and the wounded and their families,” he concluded.
We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in March of the Living Australia and with the entire Australian Jewish community. March of the Living’s mission is rooted in ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust are neither forgotten nor ignored. We therefore call on the Australian government and all responsible leaders to confront this rising tide of antisemitism with urgency, clarity, and decisive action.”
March of the Living Australia issued the following statement:
“We are left speechless.”
“March of the Living exists to educate the world about the dangers of antisemitism, and to ensure that Never Again is not just a catchphrase but a reality. We are currently in a deep state of mourning and shock, and will need time process this horrific attack.
Tomorrow, we will hug our loved ones tighter, and will continue lighting our candles and celebrating our culture and our traditions together.”
