Hanukkah events in London will see more police presence over the next eight days following the tragic mass shooting at a Hanukkah gathering in Australia on Sunday, according to the leader of Jewish London.
At least 15 individuals lost their lives, including a 10-year-old girl, and around 42 others were injured at Sydney’s Bondi Beach when two gunmen opened fire on attendees. Australia’s prime minister labeled the incident as an act of antisemitic terrorism.
The New South Wales police reported that one suspect was a 50-year-old man who was killed, while his 24-year-old son is currently hospitalized in stable but critical condition. Two “rudimentary” improvised explosive devices were also discovered at the scene.
In a conversation with CBC London on Sunday, Dean Lavi, the executive director of Jewish London, shared that Hanukkah festivities would proceed as scheduled, though the horrific attack would overshadow what should be a joyful celebration.
“Once more, a Jewish celebration that should be of joy will be marred by the reality that terrorists killed people because they were Jewish,” Lavi said. A moment of silence was planned for Sunday’s event.
The entire Jewish community in London has been shaken by this attack and stands united with their counterparts in Australia and those affected-injured or grieving loved ones.
Lavi mentioned that London’s police chief, Thai Truong, reached out Sunday morning to discuss how they could assist the local community and confirm increased police visibility during upcoming Hanukkah events.
“Waking up to this tragedy shows us more than anything else possibly could that there’s an elevated threat level for members of the Jewish community,” Lavi stated.
“We’ll ensure everyone can celebrate safely and continue practicing their Judaism openly without fear; if we can’t do that, then it’s essentially a win for terror.”
A request for comment from London police on Sunday went unanswered before publication. In a statement shared on X, Chief Truong assured that law enforcement would collaborate with provincial, national, and international partners to monitor events closely.
“To reassure our London Ontario community, you will notice an increase in police patrols throughout our city-especially near Jewish community areas,” wrote Truong.
WATCH | Video shows bystander disarming one Bondi Beach attack suspect:
Bondi Beach shooting: Video shows bystander tackling armed man
Footage circulating on social media has been verified and shows a brave bystander tackling and disarming an armed man during a deadly attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach Hanukkah event. Australian officials have hailed this individual as a hero who potentially saved lives.
The Australian authorities classified the Bondi Beach shooting as a terrorist act. Hundreds had gathered for an event known as Chanukah by the Sea to mark the beginning of the Hanukkah festival.
This marks Australia’s deadliest shooting incident in nearly three decades.
“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian,” stated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “What happened today is beyond comprehension; families are enduring trauma and loss beyond anyone’s worst nightmare.”
During a menorah lighting ceremony in Ottawa on Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that Canada’s federal government will always stand beside Jewish Canadians.
“It’s not enough just to protect the Jewish community; we must ensure all Jewish Canadians can live without fear,” he said. “Canada cannot truly be Canada unless every member of its Jewish community can fully engage in all aspects of life here.”
On Sunday, various Canadian Jewish organizations urged governments and law enforcement to take stronger action against antisemitism. “Don’t wait for something like Canadian Bondi Beach,” B’nai Brith implored in their statement to government leaders.
Lavi echoed these sentiments. He noted that this incident is yet another atrocity amid numerous others fueled by rising antisemitism becoming increasingly visible and accepted within today’s political climate.
“People used to conceal their hatred behind claims of being anti-Zionist; now it’s common for many-both online and offline-to openly express their hatred towards Jews,” he said.
“An unchecked rise in violent antisemitic extremism inevitably leads to greater violence.”LISTEN | Nick Fuentes and the mainstreaming of neo-Nazism:
Front Burner26:45Nick Fuentes and the mainstreaming of neo-NazismNick Fuentes along with his followers – Groypers – are attempting to steer American conservatism further into dangerous territory. His following grew after participating in 2017’s Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville Virginia. On his show America First , Fuentes openly admires Adolf Hitler while promoting white supremacist ideologies alongside Christian nationalism and antisemitic rhetoric.
Fuentes’ ideas edged closer to mainstream acceptance last week when he appeared alongside Tucker Carlson-one of America’s leading right-wing talk show hosts.
This shift toward normalization is discussed with Ali Breland from The Atlantic , along with Ben Lorber-a senior research analyst from Political Research Associates’ social justice think tank. Lorber also authored Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism.
For transcripts of Front Burner , please visit: https://www. cbc. ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts [https://www. cbc. ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts] Hate crimes targeting Jews have sharply risen across Canada over recent years especially since October 7th’s Hamas assault on Israel coinciding with escalating conflict between Israel-Hamas forces. Statistics Canada reported 527 hate crimes aimed at Jews registered by Canadian police during 2022-a number which surged dramatically reaching 959 reports within just one year into 2023. At least920 cases logged last year accounted for nearly twenty percent out off hate crime statistics compiled nationwide throughout2024.
Locally speaking , the Londonpolice indicatethatmembersofthe Jewishcommunityrankamongthetopfive demographicsmost frequently targetedbyhate-driven incidentsalongsideindividualsbelongingtothe2SLGBTQ+community , Black individuals, Moslems, and Middle Easternethnicities.
“Hanukkah embodiesa2000-year old narrative reminding Jews generationally aboutthosewhowouldseektodevastateourpeople’sfuture,”Lavisays.”It illustrateshopeandresilienceemergingfromunityaswellasmiraclesoccurringwhentogetherinpurposfulendeavors.”
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Fuentes’ ideas edged closer to mainstream acceptance last week when he appeared alongside Tucker Carlson-one of America’s leading right-wing talk show hosts.
This shift toward normalization is discussed with Ali Breland from The Atlantic , along with Ben Lorber-a senior research analyst from Political Research Associates’ social justice think tank. Lorber also authored Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism.
For transcripts of Front Burner , please visit: https://www. cbc. ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts [https://www. cbc. ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts] Hate crimes targeting Jews have sharply risen across Canada over recent years especially since October 7th’s Hamas assault on Israel coinciding with escalating conflict between Israel-Hamas forces. Statistics Canada reported 527 hate crimes aimed at Jews registered by Canadian police during 2022-a number which surged dramatically reaching 959 reports within just one year into 2023. At least920 cases logged last year accounted for nearly twenty percent out off hate crime statistics compiled nationwide throughout2024.
Locally speaking , the Londonpolice indicatethatmembersofthe Jewishcommunityrankamongthetopfive demographicsmost frequently targetedbyhate-driven incidentsalongsideindividualsbelongingtothe2SLGBTQ+community , Black individuals, Moslems, and Middle Easternethnicities.
“Hanukkah embodiesa2000-year old narrative reminding Jews generationally aboutthosewhowouldseektodevastateourpeople’sfuture,”Lavisays.”It illustrateshopeandresilienceemergingfromunityaswellasmiraclesoccurringwhentogetherinpurposfulendeavors.”
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