World on alert as Bondi Beach massacre fuels fears of rising antisemitism, sparks heightened security

Sunday’s deadly massacre at Bondi Beach has renewed global concerns about rising anti-Semitism, and police and security agencies across the world have beefed up protections for synagogues and Jewish celebrations.

World leaders expressed their solidarity after the mass shooting, which claimed the lives of 15 people and injured almost two dozen at a celebration to mark the start of Hanukkah.

Vigils have been held in major cities — including London, Berlin and New York — and Australian flags have been flown at half-mast at some European embassies.

Pope Leo XIV denounced the “anti-Semitic violence” behind the Bondi attack and called on the world to “eliminate hatred from our hearts” and pray for the victims.

“We pray for those who suffer from war and violence, in particular today, I want to entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist attack in Sydney against the Jewish community.

“Enough of these forms of anti-Semitic violence” he said.

Jewish prayers for the victims were recited near Grand Army Plaza in New York City, at the world’s largest Hanukkah Menorah lighting ceremony on the first night of Hanukkah on Monday (AEDT).

Tributes were also left outside Australia’s embassy in London, where crowds joined for a menorah lighting and flew British, Israeli and Australian flags.

Berlin police ramped up measures around the German capital’s Brandenburg Gate, where a large electric menorah was lit to mark the first night of Hanukkah.

English and Scottish police forces also vowed to step up their presence around synagogues.

“We were already working closely with partners, including the Community Security Trust, to provide an increased presence around synagogues and other community venues at this important time,” London’s Metropolitan Police Service posted on X.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan “unequivocally” condemned the attack, which he said “cruelly stole” lives in a “heinous” act of “cowardice” by the mass shooters.

“I have been in regular contact with the Metropolitan Police over the weekend. The police have already stepped up their presence at Chanukah events across London and they will operate with increased visibility in Jewish communities throughout this week,” he said.

Poland also boosted armed security for Hanukkah celebrations at Warsaw’s main synagogue.

The attack, which was the deadliest attack on Jews globally since October 7, 2023, has feature on the front pages of newspapers and leading TV bulletins globally.

The international headlines come after images of pro-Palestine protests at key Australian attractions, including the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, have been beamed across the world in the two years since the Hamas terror attack.

Former prime minister John Howard said the horrific event — which claimed the lives of a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor — had shattered Australia’s self-image of a peaceful society and global reputation for strict gun laws.

Mr Howard, who created the blueprint for Australia’s strict gun laws, said the world had “understandably” reacted in shock and the event highlighted that more needed to be done to stamp out antisemitism.

Two homemade ISIS flags and explosive devices were found in the vehicle that mass shooters Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, left at the scene.

“It’s terrible international notoriety, to be within 48 hours on the front page of Time Magazine. To be on the front pages of every major newspaper in London,” Mr Howard told Sky News on Tuesday, saying the nation was in a state of “tremendous sorrow”.

“It’s terrible. And it’s understandable because we had such a reputation.

“And it’s a reminder to all of us, that we have to try harder and do better.”

Mr Howard had been just 50 days into the top job in 1996 when Australia was rocked by the Port Arthur massacre, which left 35 people dead and 21 injured.

It prompted an unprecedented national crackdown on guns, including a total ban on automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

While the Bondi incident has prompted an increased outpouring of grief and call for protections at Jewish events, schools and centres it has also sparked debate about immigration in western nations.

US republicans and the American gun lobby seized on the terror attack to call on Australia to backtrack on its gun laws and tighten immigration in America.

It included congressman Randy Fine, who called for a “Muslim travel ban” and for “radical deportations”, highlighting targeted attacks on Jewish communities in America.

These incidents included a firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado, and the murder of two Israeli embassy workers — couple Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26 — outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC.

Slovakia’s President Peter Pellegrini also publicly expressed his grief and condemned the “senseless, violent rampage” after confirming one of the 15 victims was a Slovak woman, Marika Pogany, 82.

“I unequivocally condemned the brutal, deadly attack on innocent people during the Hanukkah celebrations at Australia’s Bondi Beach and expressed my deep solidarity with a nation plunged into grief and shock,” Mr Pellegrini said.

Former Slovakian president Zuzana Čaputová described Ms Pogany as an “exceptional woman” and “long-time close friend” who had viewed Sydney as “her haven, far from the evils of fascism and communism”.

Emmanuel Macron has expressed his “sadness” that French national Dan Elkayam was among at least 15 innocent people killed in the Bondi massacre.

“I learn with deep sadness of the death of our compatriot Dan Elkayam during the antisemitic terrorist attack in Sydney,” the French President posted on X.

“I think of his family and loved ones and express to them the full solidarity of the nation.”

France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez vowed to also reinforce security around Jewish places of worship during the December 14 to 22 Hanukkah period.

Other world leaders showing support included Indian PM Narendra Modi, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Canada PM Mark Carney and New Zealand MP Chris Luxon.