The ACDP wishes to express its shock and outrage at the horrific terror attack on a Jewish Hannukah by the sea event in Sydney, Australia, which resulted in the death of 16 people with a further number of people seriously injured in hospital. Amongst the deceased was tragically a ten-year-old girl, Matilda, Rabbi Eli Sclanger, as well as a Holocaust survivor, Alexander Kleytman.
Our condolences, thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, and we pray for a full recovery of those injured.
This attack is a direct result of rising antisemitism globally under the guise of anti-Zionism and is a stark reminder of how antisemitic rhetoric and incitement leads to violence against innocent Jewish people.
We say to the Jewish community globally, and in Australia and South Africa, you are not alone! We stand in solidarity with you, particularly as you celebrate Hanukkah – the “Festival of Lights”. We will continue to oppose antisemitism in all its forms wherever it manifests itself. This we do in the knowledge that light will always overcome darkness – good will overcome evil. Chag Samech Hanukkah!
We also commend all those who confronted the attackers including a bystander, Mr Ahmed al-Ahmed who, at great risk to his own life, tackled and disarmed one of them, and, despite being shot twice, saved many innocent lives. He and many others were true heroes on this very sad day in Australia.
Whilst we welcome the South African government’s condemnation of this horrific attack, we suspect its anti-Israel policies, including the case against Israel in the International Criminal Court (ICJ), may have in some way contributed to rising antisemitism under the guise of anti-Zionism globally.
