Statement on the Attack on Bondi Beach

From Brown University to Bondi Beach in Australia, people engaging in learning and celebrating were killed and injured in senseless acts of violence last weekend.

As we await more information on what motivated the Brown shooting, we grieve with the victims and their families, pray that those injured will recover and hope those responsible will be held to account. 

The attack on Bondi Beach targeted a Jewish Chanukah event—yet another painful reminder that the antisemitism alive in the world at this time is at a level Jews have not faced for decades. We stand with the victims, their families and Jewish communities in fighting the scourge of antisemitism, and hope more people of conscience will join us. We honor those who courageously risked their lives to protect people celebrating on Bondi Beach, including Ahmed al Ahmad, who is recovering in the hospital from his injuries, and Reuven Morrison, who gave his life defending his community. We hold them and their loved ones in our hearts. 

We all deserve to worship and celebrate without fear of violence. We must condemn these attacks, at home and abroad. We must remain committed to confronting hatred, antisemitism and extremism head-on. We must move forward, with strength and in solidarity, to keep working toward the safer, more peaceful world we all deserve to live in.