Medical leaders, faith groups and multicultural organisations have called for unity, compassion and sustained support as Australia continues to process the Bondi Beach terrorist attack that targeted a Hanukkah celebration and left 16 people dead.
The Australian Medical Association said it was “shocked and dismayed by the violent terror attack committed last night during a celebration of Hanukkah at Bondi”, describing the impact on victims, families and frontline workers as profound.
Federal AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said doctors across the country were horrified by what had unfolded. “We are so deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and the injuries inflicted on so many people who were innocently celebrating at a Hanukkah event,” she said. “The many injured, both physically and mentally, will be cared for by our colleagues with compassion and empathy.”
Dr McMullen praised healthcare workers and first responders who rushed to help amid chaotic scenes. “This is an incredibly challenging time for the many first responders and healthcare workers who have been confronted with the impacts of this attack and may have to deal with those impacts for a long time to come,” she said. “We stand by to offer our support to them as they deal with those impacts. It will be a long road for many.”
She said the medical profession stood firmly with those affected. “We stand by our Jewish communities as they, with our support, deal with the immediate impacts and the aftermath,” Dr McMullen said. “We condemn terrorism, and we stand with all those who are calling for a safe Australia, free of division and persecution.”
Faith and multicultural leaders in New South Wales echoed those sentiments. In a joint message, the NSW Faith Affairs Council and the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board said they extended their “deepest sympathies to the victims of the tragic shooting at Bondi Beach”, adding that their “prayers and thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone impacted by this unspeakable act of violence targeting our Australian Jewish community”.
The statement noted the attack occurred at the start of Chanukah, “a time of year when [the Jewish community] should be coming together to celebrate with family and friends”, and stressed that hatred must not be allowed to divide society. “We will not let hatred and violence divide us,” the statement said. “Across all our cultures and faiths, will stand united in sympathy, compassion and solidarity.”
NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper described the scenes at Bondi as “truly horrific” and said it was clear “that the Chanukah Festival and our Jewish community was targeted”. Calling the attack “a despicable and cowardly act”, he said it had “no place in our country” and amounted to “an attack on the very fabric of our nation”.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families, and I want to express my deepest sympathies and condolences,” Kamper said, while also thanking “our first responders and brave members of the public who assisted the innocent victims of today’s attack, and showed the very best of our nation”. He said investigations were continuing and reiterated that “hate, violence and antisemitism have no place in our nation”.
Support has also come from interstate leaders. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the incident had been difficult for many people to process, even far from where it occurred, and encouraged people to reach out for support. Tasmanian Health Minister Bridget Archer urged people to stay connected, noting that research consistently showed connection with others played an important role in protecting mental wellbeing after traumatic events.
Community solidarity has extended beyond official statements. A fundraising campaign has attracted widespread support for the unnamed bystander who tackled one of the gunmen during the attack, suffering serious injuries but helping prevent further loss of life. Donors described his actions as “selfless” and credited him with saving lives.
Multicultural advocacy groups have also spoken out. The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia said it “unequivocally condemns the anti-Semitic violence at Bondi Beach” and extended its “deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives”.
FECCA chair Peter Doukas said, “An attack on one community is an attack on our collective spirit as a multicultural nation. When any group is targeted by hate, it undermines the values of respect, inclusion and unity that bind our society together.”
As investigations continue and communities gather to mourn, leaders across medicine, faith and multicultural organisations have stressed that the response to the Bondi attack must be grounded in care for the injured, support for those grieving, and a shared resolve to resist fear, division and hatred.
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