OTTAWA — The mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, Sydney, has prompted an outpouring of condemnation and solidarity from across Canada, as political leaders, Jewish organizations, advocacy groups, and community members reacted with grief, anger, and renewed urgency to confront rising antisemitism.
The attack, which targeted a public Jewish celebration during Hanukkah and left multiple people dead and injured, has resonated deeply with Canadian Jews, many of whom see parallels with the growing threats faced by Jewish communities at home.
Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement expressing Canada’s solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community and the families of the victims. Carney said the attack was a stark reminder that antisemitism and terrorism remain global threats and emphasized that Canada stands with its allies in defending religious freedom and public safety.
Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the massacre as an act of antisemitic terror, saying that violence directed at Jews celebrating their faith represents an attack on democratic values. Poilievre stressed that hatred of Jews must be named clearly and confronted decisively, warning against attempts to excuse or minimize antisemitism.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also expressed condolences and reaffirmed Ontario’s commitment to protecting Jewish communities. Ford said antisemitism has no place in Ontario or Canada and emphasized that attacks on Jewish families abroad reverberate strongly among Jewish communities at home.
Conservative Deputy Leader MP Melissa Lantsman, who represents a large Jewish population in Thornhill, described the massacre as “pure antisemitic hatred.” She noted the symbolism of an attack during Hanukkah, a holiday centered on Jewish survival and resilience, stating that Jewish communities worldwide are paying the price for the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric.
At the municipal level, Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak said the Bondi Beach massacre underscores the global nature of antisemitic violence and the need for proactive security measures in Canadian cities. Pasternak emphasized that Jewish communities should not have to choose between visibility and safety.
Jewish advocacy organizations across Canada echoed those concerns.
Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), issued a forceful statement highlighting that the attack abroad is a sobering reminder of the global threat of violent antisemitism. Shack emphasized the need for urgent action by governments and law enforcement to safeguard Jewish communities in Canada and elsewhere.
Local Jewish federations also expressed deep grief and solidarity. Ezra Shanken, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, described the attack as an “incredibly painful time” for Jewish Canadians, stressing that the tragedy resonates beyond geographic borders because shared values and vulnerabilities connect Jewish communities worldwide. He praised law enforcement’s rapid response in Vancouver, including stepped-up security at community events, and urged continued vigilance and unity.
B’nai Brith Canada condemned the attack as antisemitic terrorism and warned that Jewish communities worldwide are increasingly being targeted in public spaces. The organization called on Canadian governments to strengthen hate crime enforcement, enhance security funding for Jewish institutions, and confront the ideological drivers of antisemitism.
The Tafsik Organization, which focuses on countering extremist ideologies, said the massacre illustrates how antisemitism has moved from rhetoric to mass-casualty violence. The group warned that tolerating antisemitic narratives creates the conditions for radicalization and violence.
Grassroots advocacy group Unapologetically Jewish said the attack demonstrates the consequences of allowing antisemitism to hide behind political slogans. The organization emphasized that Jewish visibility, including public Hanukkah celebrations, must never become a liability or a target.
Canadian Christian organizations with longstanding ties to Israel and the Jewish people also issued strong statements.
Friends of Israel Gospel Canada described the massacre as an assault on religious freedom and urged Canadians of faith to stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism.
Bridges for Peace Canada expressed grief and solidarity, saying the attack highlights the shared responsibility of Jews and Christians to oppose hatred and defend the right of Jewish communities to gather openly and safely.
Former Ontario MPP and Conservative MP Roman Baber described the Bondi Beach massacre as the predictable outcome of years of antisemitism being excused or downplayed. Baber urged Canadian leaders to show moral clarity and consistency in confronting Jew-hatred.
Across Canada, Jewish community members responded with a mix of sorrow and resolve. Many pointed to the painful symbolism of an attack during Hanukkah, a festival commemorating Jewish endurance in the face of persecution. Vigils, menorah lightings, and statements of solidarity emphasized that fear will not silence Jewish identity or communal life.
Police services in several Canadian cities confirmed increased patrols around synagogues, Jewish schools, and community events, particularly during Hanukkah. Officials said the measures are precautionary and aimed at reassuring communities amid heightened global tensions.
Community leaders stressed that while the attack occurred thousands of kilometres away, its impact is felt locally.
“An attack on Jews anywhere is felt by Jews everywhere,” one Canadian Jewish leader said, reflecting a widely shared sentiment.
