Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has officially designated the deadly shooting at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach as a terrorist attack. The confirmation came during a Sunday evening press conference where the leader characterized the violence as a calculated act targeting Jewish Australians.
The assault occurred during the ‘Hanukkah by the Sea’ celebration, a festive gathering marking the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the particular cruelty of timing, noting that the attack transformed what should have been “a day of joy, a celebration of faith” into a scene of tragedy.
Authorities are investigating the incident as a deliberate act of antisemitic terrorism that has profoundly impacted the nation. The Prime Minister’s statement described the event as “an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation,” underscoring the targeted nature of the violence against the Jewish community during their religious observance.
The confirmation follows an earlier report of a mass shooting at the popular beach destination, with investigations ongoing to determine the full scope of casualties and the specific motivations behind the attack. Security agencies have intensified efforts to address community safety concerns following this declaration of a terrorist incident.