NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Condemns Antisemitic Terror Attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach Hanukkah Celebration

Zohran Mamdani expressed his grief for the victims killed and injured in the attack.

New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has strongly denounced the fatal shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Australia's Bondi Beach, describing it as a "vile act of antisemitic terror."

"The attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney today was a vile act of antisemitic terror," he posted on X. "May the memories of all those killed be a blessing," he added.

The tragic incident resulted in at least 15 fatalities and numerous injuries after two gunmen opened fire at the Sydney beach on Sunday. The alleged perpetrators were identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24. Reports indicate that Sajid was fatally shot by police at the scene.

In the aftermath of the attack, Mamdani shared his sorrow for those who lost their lives and were injured, offering prayers to their families. "I mourn those who were murdered and will be keeping their families, the Jewish community, and the Chabad movement in my prayers," he stated.

Among the victims was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who Mamdani noted had strong connections to Crown Heights in Brooklyn. "Another Jewish community plunged into mourning and loss, a holiday of light so painfully reduced to a day of darkness," he remarked.

Mamdani characterized the Bondi Beach tragedy as part of an alarming trend of violence targeting Jewish people, noting that many no longer feel secure openly practicing their faith or attending worship services without substantial security measures.

"This attack is merely the latest, most horrifying iteration in a growing pattern of violence targeted at Jewish people across the world," he observed. "What happened at Bondi is what many Jewish people fear will happen in their communities too."

The mayor-elect also highlighted an act of heroism during the attack, mentioning a man who restrained one of the shooters from behind and disarmed him. "On Bondi Beach today, as men with long guns targeted innocents, another man ran towards the gunfire and disarmed a shooter," he said. Media reports later identified this brave bystander as Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit seller.

Looking toward his upcoming term as mayor, Mamdani emphasized that protecting Jewish New Yorkers would be a key priority. "When I am Mayor, I will work every day to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe, on our streets, our subways, at shul, in every moment of every day. Let this be a purpose shared by every New Yorker, and let us banish this horrific violence to the past," he pledged.

In the hours following the shooting, bomb-disposal teams discovered and removed a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) from a vehicle connected to one of the attackers. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident as a "dark and evil antisemitic terror attack."