The iconic Sydney Opera House has been illuminated with a poignant message in response to the recent terror attack at Bondi Beach, which disrupted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration.
Sydney remains in mourning as thousands gather at Bondi Pavilion for a spontaneous vigil, leaving a sea of tributes in memory of the attack’s 16 victims.
In a show of solidarity, a menorah was lit at Bondi Pavilion, and another was projected onto the Opera House, honoring the Hanukkah event targeted by the attackers on Sunday.
NSW Premier Chris Minns emphasized the importance of supporting the Jewish community, stating, “Following this dreadful attack, it’s crucial the Jewish community in NSW knows they are not alone.”
“We must ensure that Jewish Australians never feel the need to conceal their faith, traditions, celebrations, or identity,” Minns continued.
He added, “Lighting the Opera House is a straightforward yet profound gesture, signaling to the world that we value our Jewish community, respect their bravery, and stand with them in unity and love.”
“Tonight, those candles are a symbol of resilience and a reminder that even in darkness, we choose to stand with one another.”
The iconic beach, which is normally packed at this time of year, had a sombre mood on Monday as thousands lay flowers and other tributes just metres away from the bridge where the two gunmen had opened fire.
The vigil became a place of singing, prayer and mourning throughout the day as people passed through to pay their respects to the innocent lives lost.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Waverley Council Mayor William Nemesh and Governor-General Sam Mostyn were among some of the people in attendance.
Mostyn described the mood of the vigil as a “sombre feel”.
“This is a community that’s in deep grief,” she said.
“As the representative of the head of state, I have no politics, no policies. I don’t have money to dispense. I hold the national character.
“The governor-general’s role is to show up, is to come and offer comfort, but also to call on all Australians.
“We have a job to do, and that is to make sure that we pull out of this dark period, the shade, and into light.”
“This is so un-Australian, and we all condemn this in the harshest words, and we need strict laws around this,” Amar Singh from Turbans for Australia said.
“All these perpetrators should be punished to the max because this is not on.
“This senseless terrorism has no place in Australia. We must do more to protect communities like our wonderful Jewish friends.”
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull attended the vigil earlier today, laying flowers at the scene of the “surreal” attack.
“It’s hard to believe. It really is surreal to imagine that this could happen in Bondi. This is part of our lives. It’s part of our community,” he said.
“It’s very diverse, very multicultural.
“I spent my whole life in and out of Bondi. So it’s just I’m still struggling to believe this happened, but it did.
“So what we have to do is respond with love and with strength, with solidarity. We have to put our arms around the Jewish community.
“We have to show them that we love them, that we’ll support them, and we’ll stand by them. No matter what happens, and you know this, this is literally the worst that you could imagine.”
A sea of abandoned personal belongings from those who ran for their life has also lined the iconic beach.
The collection of items left behind, include children’s toys, towels and deck chairs, as people fled for safety after two gunmen opened fire at Bondi Beach during the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration.
“I was in the water, and then suddenly I just see people jumping, so then I had to get out, and then I had to leave all my stuff,” a young witness told 9News.
“Then I had to quickly run.”
“We always send our children to have fun, and it was a holy day, it was Hannukah yesterday, it’s just devastating,” another witness told 9News.
“We couldn’t sleep the whole night, especially when you send your most precious, your children.”
“It’s just traumatising, I see families broken,” another young witness told 9News.
Bondi lifeguards have collected many of the possessions and are waiting for their owners to retrieve them.
