Anti-Semitic Terror in Australia

A terrorist shooting at a Hanukkah event on the beach outside of Sydney has claimed the lives of 12, and injured dozens more, JNS reports.

The attack took place at a Chanukah celebration attended by thousands of people and organized by the Chassidic Chabad-Lubavitch movement, according to Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister of diaspora affairs and combating antisemitism.

“I am in continuous contact with leaders of the Jewish community in Australia,” stated Chikli. “There are many casualties, including fatalities. I will provide updates as soon as additional details become available.”

According to Chabad spokesman Motti Seligson, one of the organization’s rabbis was among those murdered. The slain rabbi was identified as Eli Schlanger, a U.K.-born Chabad emissary in Sydney.

The wave of anti-Semitic violence sweeping the globe is rising, and shows no signs of letting up. Please pray for the loved ones of the victims of this horrific attack, for an end to the hatred that motivated it, and for God’s precious gift of shalom, peace, to reign throughout the world in this sacred season of light and miracles.