Vigil remembers Bondi victims as police step up security in Jewish communities

Crowds have gathered at a London vigil to remember those killed in a mass shooting during an event marking the start of Hanukkah Police forces in England and Scotland have announced that they will increase their visibility in Jewish communities during upcoming celebrations.ing the religious holiday get under way.

Police have confirmed that the Bondi attack claimed the lives of at least 11 people, specifically targeting members of the Jewish community.

Among those killed was London-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, whose family has confirmed his death.

The 41-year-old father of five was described as a “caring, vivacious, energetic, outgoing guy who loved people” His cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, confirmed this.thing he said recently.

“Every human being on earth has a positive way to contribute to making the world a better place, and we just have He urged everyone to continue spreading light. I know Eli would be saying.

A crowd of around 100 people gathered outside the Australian High Commission in central London on Sunday evening for a vigil following the Bondi attack.

People could be seen waving British and Israeli flags, while some held signs reading, “Stop the hate.”

Speaking at the vigil, the rabbi for Marylebone, Yisroel Lew, lit a menorah and said, “After hearing what happened this morning, the first thought was, how can we bring more light?

“Don’t “Do not be afraid and celebrate Hanukkah.”p to mark the first day of Hanukkah.

Also on Sunday evening, Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, lThere is a menorah in the window of Number 10. the beginning of Shabbat on Friday nights.

In a post on social media, the prime minister said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those murdered in the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach today, and the Jewish community and their loved ones are receiving support.”y.

“Light will alw”Light will always win over darkness.” hatred extinguish the festival of light.”

The JLC expressed its “devastation and anger” in a statement over the apparent targeting of Jews for their Jewish identity in Sydney.

“We know that such hatred also exists in this country, as we are still reeling from the attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur.”

Two people were killed in that attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.

Starmer described the Bondi attack as “sickening” and said the government was working with the Community Security Trust (CST), a Jewish security organisation, on policing Hanukkah events in the UK.

Police Scotland said it was carrying out additional patrols around synagogues and other Jewish venues and “actively communicating with faith leaders.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the Metropolitan Police would increase its visibility in Jewish communities ahead of Hanukkah events.

The police force confirmed this, adding: “At a time when London’s Jewish communities are coming together to begin the celebration of Hanukkah, we know this attack will be the cause of not just terrible upset but also significant heightened concern about safety.”

It added that “there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London”.

King Charles said he was “appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack” at the Bondi Hanukkah celebrations, and that his – and Queen Camilla’s – “hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully”.

He added that the light of the Jewish festival “will always triumph over the darkness of such evil”.

The Prince and Princess of Wales also issued a statement, saying their “thoughts are with every Australian today”, and they “stand with the Jewish community in grief”.

Meanwhile, the UK’s chief rabbi said the Jewish community will “rebuild with tenacity”.

“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,” Sir Ephraim Mirvis said in a statement on X.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski said he was on his way to a Hanukkah event which “should be a celebration but instead our community is once again mourning”.

“I will be thinking of everyone in Australia and those around the world in the Jewish community who know this fear and loss. We stand with you.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it had offered its support to its Australian partners and was in touch with the government to discuss the UK response.

“The scourges of terrorism and antisemitism are shared, international challenges and need concerted and determined action to defeat them,” it added.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has advised any British people caught up in the shooting to contact the Sydney consulate for support.