Sawt Falasteen - World leaders express horror, revulsion at Bondi beach shooting

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the "shocking and distressing" attack, which Australian police are calling a "terrorist" incident, was "beyond comprehension" as assailants fired on a gathering celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned what he called a "very cruel attack on Jews" by "vile terrorists".

King Charles III, head of the 56 countries of the 56-nation Commonwealth, of which Australia is a member, said he was "appalled" by "most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people".

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also on X, said: "Antisemitism has no place in this world.

"Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia."

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said she was "shocked" at what she condemned as an "appalling act of violence".

She added in a post to X: "Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere. We are united against violence, antisemitism and hatred."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer lamented what he described as the "deeply distressing news from Australia.

"The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi beach," he added.

Israel's arch-enemy Iran joined the condemnations. Posting on X, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said: "We condemn the violent attack in Sydney, Australia. Terror and killing of human beings, wherever committed, is rejected and condemned."

- 'Entirely forseeable' -

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack and vowed that France would "fight relentlessly against antisemitic hatred."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on X she felt "profound grief regarding the dramatic news arriving from Sydney.

"By once again firmly condemning all forms of violence and anti-semitism, Italy expresses its own condolences for the victims," she added.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, also in a post to X, said: "I am deeply shocked by the terrorist attack in Sydney –- an act of hatred directed against all Jews worldwide on the first day of Hanukkah.

"My thoughts are with the families of those murdered, the injured and the Jewish community," he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X that his country "stands in solidarity with Australia in the face of the brutal terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, which targeted the Jewish community.

"Terror and hatred must never prevail — they must be defeated everywhere and every time," he said.

A major Australian Muslim organisation also condemned the "horrific" shooting.

The head of Australia's Jewish Association meanwhile said the shooting was a "tragedy but entirely foreseeable.

"The Albanese government was warned so many times but failed to take adequate actions to protect the Jewish community," Robert Gregory told AFP.

D.Khalil--SF-PST