New York, New York, December 14, 2025 … The J7 Large Communities' Task Force Against Antisemitism, representing the seven largest Diaspora Jewish communities, issued the following statement following the deadly terrorist attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach:
We are horrified and heartbroken by the antisemitic terrorist attack targeting innocent Jews and others celebrating the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Sydney. This act of evil, which has taken eleven innocent lives and wounded many others, must be condemned by all. We mourn the victims and pray for the full recovery of the injured.
This tragedy is especially painful coming less than a week after J7 leaders convened in Sydney for our first-ever summit in Australia. During our visit, we stood in solidarity with the local community as they navigated a sharp rise in antisemitic sentiment and incidents since October 7, 2023. We are devastated and outraged to see those tensions escalate into such lethal violence on Australian soil.
We stand in unwavering solidarity with the Australian Jewish community and our J7 partner, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ). We support their leadership during this crisis and support them in calling on the Australian Government to take all necessary measures to confront this hatred and ensure the safety of the Jewish community.
Jewish families should not need armed security to light Hanukkah candles, nor should they have to fear for their lives in public spaces. We remain committed to working with our partners worldwide to ensure that Jewish life can thrive safely, proudly and without fear.
J7 Members:
- Argentina: Delegación de Asociaciones Israelitas Argentinas (DAIA)
- Australia: Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ)
- Canada: Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)
- France: Conseil Représentatif des Institutions Juives de France (CRIF)
- Germany: Central Council of Jews in Germany
- The United Kingdom: Board of Deputies of British Jews
- The United States: ADL (Anti-Defamation League) and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
The J7, the Large Communities’ Task Force Against Antisemitism. was formed in response to increasing rates of antisemitism around the world and comprises major Jewish organizations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Argentina and Australia. In addition to top-level consultations, the J7 leads working groups comprised of subject matter experts from each community to develop strategies and action plans within areas such as policy and advocacy, tech policy, security, extremism and education against antisemitism.