Met Police step up protection for Jewish synagogues during Hanukkah after Bondi attack

Police presence will be stepped up around synagogues in London ahead of Hanukkah in the wake of the shooting on Bondi Beach.

Twelve people have been killed and nearly 30 injured after two gunmen opened fire during an event to mark the first night of the Jewish eight-day festival at the popular coastal spot near Sydney.

Met Police confirmed officers had increased patrols in areas with large Jewish communities and were liaising with community venues following the terror attack.

It said in a statement: ‘At a time when London’s Jewish communities are coming together to begin the celebration of Hannukah, we know this attack will be the cause of not just terrible upset but also significant heightened concern about safety.

‘We were already working closely with partners, including the Community Security Trust, to provide an increased presence around synagogues and other community venues at this important time.’

Among those killed in the Bondi attack was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was helping lead the event organised by the local Chabad group.

The force added: ‘While there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning we are stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community to understand what more we can do in the coming hours and days.’

The Community Security Trust, a Jewish security charity, said it was working to increase security at venues over Hanukkah.

It said: ‘Chanukah is a Jewish festival that celebrates light and religious freedom and it is abhorrent that such violence was directed at a moment of communal joy. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and the Australian Jewish community at this awful time.’

Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X: ‘Chanukah should be a time of celebration and joy.

‘The news that the Bondi beach attack was an antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish families at a Chanukah event is sickening.

‘My thoughts are with the victims and their families.

‘The United Kingdom will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community. We are actively working with Community Security Trust on the policing of Chanukah events.’

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said the Jewish community would ‘rebuild with tenacity’ after the ‘unspeakable atrocity’.

He wrote: ‘As we kindle our first Chanukah lights this evening, we hold the victims of the unspeakable atrocity in Sydney in our hearts and in our prayers.

‘We mourn the loss of the innocent lives taken so brutally in this act of hatred and terror and we pray for a speedy recovery for all those injured.

‘Once again, Jews have been targeted for the crime of gathering together proudly as Jews and it is hard to find the words to adequately express our pain.

‘Our traditional Jewish response is clear: In the spirit of the defiant Maccabees, who declared that they would never be cowed nor denied the right to live and worship freely, we are strong and resilient.’

The Hanukkah attack comes amid a rising tide of antisemitism and several high profile incidents coinciding with Jewish holidays.

Two congregants were killed during an attack on a synagogue in north Manchester on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement.

Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby both died after Syrian-born Al-Shamie rammed his car into the synagogue gates before launching a knife attack at worshippers.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Comments Add as preferred source