Global leaders and international media have been reacting to a devastating shooting incident that has resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people.
King Charles shared his sentiments through the royal family’s official X account, expressing that both he and Queen Camilla were “appalled and saddened” by the tragedy.
“In these difficult times, Australians always come together in unity and resolve,” he remarked.
He added, “I am confident that the spirit of community and the love that shines so brightly in Australia, along with the light central to the Chanukah festival, will ultimately overcome the darkness of such malevolence.”
Additionally, the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, voiced their shock and offered their condolences.
Meanwhile, although US President Donald Trump has not commented on social media, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly “strongly condemned” the attack.
“Antisemitism has no place in this world,” he wrote.
“Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said France extended its thoughts to victims and their loved ones.
“We share the pain of the Australian people and will continue to fight relentlessly against antisemitic hatred, which hurts us all, wherever it strikes,” he said on X.
And in the middle of a trip to Europe amid ongoing efforts to end Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke.
“Ukraine stands in solidarity with Australia in the face of the brutal terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, which targeted the Jewish community at the start of Hanukkah,” he said.
“We express condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and wish a swift and full recovery to all those who were wounded. Terror and hatred must never prevail – they must be defeated everywhere and every time.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was “shocked” by the “distressing scenes” at Bondi.
“Australia and New Zealand are closer than friends, we’re family,” he said.
Notably, not all reactions were open-handedly sympathetic.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and President Isaac Herzog, both expressed sorrow and sympathy for the victim and for Australia’s Jewish community, but blasted the federal government, claiming it had allowed antisemitism to fester.
“Our hearts go out to our Jewish sisters and brothers in Sydney who have been attacked by vile terrorists as they went to light the first candle of Chanukah,” Herzog said.
“Time and again we called on the Australian government to take action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism that is plaguing Australian society.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community of Sydney and the entire Australian Jewish community at this horrific time.”
Netanyahu, meanwhile, praised the actions of a man who was filmed tackling and disarming one of the gunmen, but lashed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“I called upon you to replace weakness with action, appeasement with resolve,” Netanyahu said in a video posted on the Israeli prime minister’s official X account.
“Instead, prime minister, you replaced weakness with weakness and appeasement with more appeasement.”
