December 16, 2025
On December 14, 2025, a peaceful gathering at Archer Park near Sydney’s Bondi Beach was shattered by an unthinkable act of violence. Members of the Jewish community had come together to mark the first night of Hanukkah – a celebration of light and hope – when terror struck.
In a calculated and deeply antisemitic attack, a father and son opened fire on the crowd, turning a sacred moment into a scene of devastation. Fifteen people were killed and forty others injured. Among the victims was a 10-year-old girl, whose life was cruelly cut short.
Emergency services responded swiftly. The father was shot dead at the scene, while the son was taken into custody in critical condition. Despite the rapid response of the New South Wales Police Force, the loss of life was profound and heartbreaking.
Authorities also discovered a suspected homemade bomb nearby, indicating that even greater destruction may have been intended. This revelation has intensified the shock and grief felt not only by the local Jewish community, but by the nation and the world.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
At CBN UK, our hearts stand firmly alongside the Jewish community, and everyone affected by this unthinkable tragedy. It is devastating that a moment meant for faith, light, and celebration was instead met with such deliberate hatred and violence.
We ask our readers to pray for the Jewish people of Australia – and for Jewish communities everywhere – who are understandably feeling vulnerable and shaken. No one, regardless of their faith or identity, should ever face violence simply for who they are.
We join all our brothers and sisters in mourning the lives lost and in supporting the long road to healing after this tragic and shocking event.
December 16, 2025
