Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at the Australian leader on Sunday as countries expressed shock and sympathy over a mass shooting at a Jewish holiday event, saying he had warned Prime Minister Antony Albanes that “your calls for a Palestinian state are fueling the fire of anti-Semitism.”
During the war in Gaza, Netanyahu repeatedly tried to link widespread calls for a Palestinian state, as well as criticism of Israel’s military offensive in the region following Hamas’ 2023 attacks, to growing anti-Semitic incidents around the world.
While others in the Israeli government also urged Australia on Sunday to do more to combat a sharp rise in anti-Semitic attacks, Netanyahu further sought to link an attack in Sydney that killed at least 11 people, including an Israeli, to support for a Palestinian state.
Australia was one of several countries to formally recognize a Palestinian state during a gathering of world leaders at the United Nations in September. According to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, 159 countries have recognized Palestine. The vast majority of the international community believes that a two-state solution is the only way to end decades of conflict.
Netanyahu’s government says the international community’s efforts to promote Palestinian statehood have paid off for Hamas.
Here are some of the global reactions to the shootings in Australia:
Iran
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei condemned the attack: “Terrorism and murderous acts, wherever they occur, are unacceptable and must be condemned.”
USA
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington strongly condemned the attack and said “anti-Semitism has no place in this world.”
U.K.
King Charles III said he was “shocked and saddened”. He also leads the Commonwealth, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog sent a warning to the king in September about an “epidemic of anti-Semitism” in the three Commonwealth countries of Britain, Canada and Australia, his office said Sunday.
Meanwhile, London police said they would increase security at Jewish venues.
Germany
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the attack “left me speechless,” adding that “it is an attack on our shared values. We must stop this anti-Semitism in Germany and around the world.”
United Nations
Secretary-General António Guterres said he was shocked and “my heart goes out to the Jewish community around the world on this first day of Hanukkah, a holiday that celebrates the miracle of peace and light triumphing over darkness.”
India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the “horrific terrorist attack” and said “we stand with the people of Australia at this sad time.”
world jewish congress
“No community should be afraid to come together to celebrate their faith, heritage or identity,” said Ronald Lauder, the group’s president, adding: “Make no mistake, this is not going to break us.”
Australia
“I’m constantly surrounded by anti-Semitic graffiti. I think for our community in Sydney’s east, as a Christian, I just want to declare that I stand with the people of Israel,” Anglican priest Matt Graham told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He said he was worshiping at the nearby Bondi Anglican Church when panicked people started entering the shelter.