Washington, DC, December 15 (ANI): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday held a call with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to discuss the antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which targeted members of the Jewish community celebrating the first day of Hanukkah.
In a statement attributed to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the US State Department said Secretary Rubio spoke with Wong to address the attack. The statement said the United States “strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Hanukkah celebration hosted by Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi.”
“As Prime Minister Albanese said, this was an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism,” the statement said. It added that the United States stands in solidarity with the Jewish community and the Australian people, and expressed gratitude to Australian first responders and bystanders for their heroic response.
Highlighting the significance of the festival, the statement noted that as Jews around the world light Hanukkah candles, they commemorate the triumph of light over darkness and a long history of resilience in the face of oppression. It stressed that no community should have to fear publicly celebrating its faith and traditions due to the threat of extremist violence and terror, adding that there can be no compromise with antisemitism and that it must be confronted and defeated.
The call came as Australian authorities confirmed that the death toll from the shooting has risen to 16, with at least 40 people still hospitalized. The New South Wales Police Force said the area around Bondi Beach remains sealed as investigations continue, and confirmed that roads in the surrounding area will remain closed while investigators process the crime scene. Police also said aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying over the area.
According to CNN, a Jewish community representative confirmed that a 12-year-old girl and a rabbi are among those killed in the attack.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident in a national address, describing it as a devastating terror attack and expressing solidarity with the country’s Jewish community. In a post on X, Albanese also thanked police officers for their response, praising the dedication and commitment shown by both on-duty and off-duty officers who assisted at the scene.
Earlier, Rubio also posted on X, strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration. He said antisemitism has no place in the world and added that US prayers are with the victims, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia.
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