A Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony occurred in Tel Aviv, Israel, led by Rabbi Shaul Reizes in Habima Square. This event took place amidst reports of a fatal incident in Australia.
The Bondi Beach Incident
On Sunday, a shooting incident in Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, resulted in 16 fatalities, including a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor. This event occurred during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah Observances in Israel
Public Hanukkah activities have resumed in Tel Aviv following the COVID-19 pandemic and events starting on October 7, 2023. Rabbi Reizes of the Orthodox Jewish Chabad movement, which organizes large menorah lightings globally, stated that such incidents would not alter their mission to "bring more lights to the world."
Residents like Alice Eldar, an Israeli resident for six years, noted the return of public menorah-lighting ceremonies and traditional sufghaniyot sales. Eldar also mentioned receiving a call from London regarding the Australian attack, stating, "You're seeing more and more of these kinds of antisemitic attacks and this sentiment of intense hatred of Jewish people again."
Perceptions of Safety and Travel
Reports indicate increased sentiments of vulnerability among Jewish communities in various countries, including Australia and the United States, despite enhanced security measures. In contrast, many Jewish individuals in Israel report feeling more secure due to the country's Jewish majority, despite past militant attacks. No armed guards were present at the Tel Aviv Hanukkah ceremony.
Raz Kahlon, 28, expressed reconsideration of his previous plans to travel to Australia for its beach culture after learning of the Bondi Beach incident. He described the news as "a big 'no' on the country."
Vigil and Australian Perspectives in Israel
Later, a vigil was held at Tel Aviv's Frishman Beach for the victims of the Australian shooting. Attendees, including English speakers and those with Australian accents, lit memorial candles in the shape of a Star of David and sang a prayer. Ben Freeman, originally from Melbourne and now living in Israel, stated he moved due to increasing threats and violence against Jewish institutions in Australia following the October 7 events.
Freeman aligned with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's earlier statement that the Australian government "did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia" and that recognizing a Palestinian state "pours fuel on the antisemitic fire." Freeman commented, "I think the response to Oct. 7 was really disappointing, from the Australian government. To be really, really honest, the blood is on their hands."
Eli Parkes, who moved to Israel a decade ago, noted that many Australian Jews are descendants of Holocaust survivors who sought distance from "the antisemitism of the Old World." Parkes stated, "When we grew up, we thought we were the blessed Jews who didn't have to deal with all that. And unfortunately, the last few years have shown us that that isn't quite true."