What happened at the Hanukkah gathering in Sydney?

Gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah gathering in Sydney, killing at least 15 people.

Who is Rabbi Eli Schlanger?

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was a Chabad of Bondi emissary who was killed in the Sydney Hanukkah attack.

What is Chabad's emergency and security operations center?

It is a center known as the CWA that provides guidance and support to Chabad emissaries and Jewish communities globally, especially during security incidents.

Home / War and Conflict / Israel Minister Comforts Sydney Jews After Deadly Attack

Israel Minister Comforts Sydney Jews After Deadly Attack

15 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Israeli minister visited Sydney's Chabad security center after attack.
Gunmen killed at least 15 people at a Hanukkah gathering.
Minister linked attack to broader antisemitic violence patterns.

Israel Minister Comforts Sydney Jews After Deadly Attack

Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli visited Chabad's emergency and security operations center in Kfar Chabad on Sunday night. His visit followed a violent shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, where at least 15 people were killed, including local emissary Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

Minister Chikli spoke with Chabad emissaries, drawing parallels between the Sydney attack and other acts of antisemitic violence. He stressed that efforts to "extinguish the eternal flame" of the Jewish people would ultimately fail, urging continued public Hanukkah observances globally.

The minister traveled to Sydney to meet with Jewish leaders and those affected by the tragedy. His visit underscores growing concerns about antisemitism and security threats in Australia, following a series of incidents targeting the Jewish community.