Sixteen dead in ‘targeted attack on Jewish Australians’

Australia is reeling after 6 people were killed and 48 others injured when shooters opened fire on a Chanukah event on Bondi Beach.

Among the dead is Rabbi Eli Schlanger from Bondi Chabad, one of the organisers of Chanukah by the Sea. Last year after the Chanukah menorah was lit at a similar event Rabbi Schlanger posted a photo with the comment "The best response to antisemitism".

One of the shooters is among the dead and a second shooter is in a critical condition. The injured include two police officers.

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened the National Security Committee as a matter of urgency, describing the shooting as "a devastating terrorist attack...a targeted attack on Jewish Australians".

"[This is] an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation. An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian and every Australian tonight will be, like me, devastated on this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear: we will eradicate it.

Albanese addressed Australian Jews, assuring them they had the right live in freedom. "You are Australians and all Australians are with you, today and every day," he said.