Israel’s Netanyahu lashes out while world shows shock and sympathy over Australia shooting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked controversy Sunday by directly criticizing Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the aftermath of a deadly mass shooting at a Jewish holiday event in Sydney, claiming that Australia’s support for Palestinian statehood “pours fuel on the antisemitic fire.”

The attack, which killed at least 11 people including an Israeli citizen, occurred amid heightened global tensions following more than a year of conflict in Gaza. While other Israeli officials urged Australia to take stronger measures against rising antisemitism, Netanyahu went further by attempting to draw a connection between the Sydney shooting and Australia’s diplomatic stance on Palestine.

Netanyahu has consistently sought to link international support for a Palestinian state with rising antisemitism worldwide during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which began following the Hamas attack of October 2023.

Australia was among several nations that formally recognized a Palestinian state during September’s United Nations gathering. According to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, 159 countries have now granted such recognition. The international consensus has long held that a two-state solution represents the only viable path to resolving the decades-long conflict.

Netanyahu’s government has repeatedly characterized the international push for Palestinian statehood as effectively rewarding Hamas, despite widespread diplomatic support for the two-state approach.

The shooting in Sydney prompted an outpouring of condemnation and sympathy from global leaders as the Jewish community began celebrating Hanukkah, a festival that commemorates triumph over persecution.

Iran’s response to the attack drew particular attention given recent diplomatic tensions with Australia. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that “terrorism and the killing of people, wherever they occur, are unacceptable and must be condemned.” This statement comes just months after Australia severed diplomatic relations with Iran in August, accusing Tehran of orchestrating antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.

In the United States, President Donald Trump characterized the incident as “a purely antisemitic attack,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that “antisemitism has no place in this world.”

British monarch King Charles III, who also serves as head of the Commonwealth, expressed being “appalled and saddened” by the events. The office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog revealed that Herzog had previously warned the king in September about an “epidemic of antisemitism” in three Commonwealth nations: Britain, Canada, and Australia. In response to the attack, London police announced increased security measures at Jewish sites throughout the British capital.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the attack as leaving him “speechless,” adding that it represented “an attack on our shared values” and calling for action against antisemitism “in Germany and worldwide.”

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “horrified” by the violence, noting the tragic timing on “this first day of Hanukkah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned what he called a “ghastly terrorist attack” and expressed solidarity with Australia during this “hour of grief.”

World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder emphasized community resilience, stating: “No community should ever fear coming together to celebrate its faith, traditions, or identity,” and adding, “Make no mistake, this will not break us.”

Locally, Anglican pastor Matt Graham, who provided shelter to panicked people at the nearby Bondi Anglican Church during the attack, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation: “I’m surrounded by antisemitic graffiti constantly. I think for our community in the east (of Sydney), and as a Christian, I just want to declare I stand with the people of Israel.”

The Sydney attack comes amid growing concerns about rising antisemitism globally, with Jewish communities in many countries reporting increased threats and incidents since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.