Democratic leaders rally behind Israel and Jews, rejecting terror as antisemitism spreads unchecked worldwide.
Nearly 600 elected officials from over 40 countries have delivered a rare and powerful message of unity following the antisemitic terror attack at a Hanukkah menorah-lighting ceremony on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The international letter, coordinated by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, expressed unwavering solidarity with Will Nemesh, Mayor of Waverley Council, in the wake of the massacre that stunned Australia and the Jewish world.
The December 14 attack targeted Jews gathered in prayer and celebration on the first night of Hanukkah. Fifteen people were murdered and dozens wounded—an act of terror that shattered the illusion that distance or democracy alone can shield Jews from hatred. Signatories to the letter included lawmakers, mayors, and local officials from across North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Australia, underscoring the global alarm at the resurgence of antisemitic violence.
The officials were unequivocal in their assessment. This was not random violence, nor an isolated tragedy. It was a deliberate attack on Jewish identity, memory, and faith. The letter explicitly rejected efforts—common across parts of the West and Arab-aligned discourse—to downplay or reframe antisemitic terror as mere criminality divorced from ideology.
Crucially, the letter warned that antisemitism is no longer theoretical. It is visible in streets, schools, public squares, and online spaces, where incitement—often disguised as hostility toward Israel—rapidly escalates into real-world bloodshed. The signatories emphasized that while cities like Sydney stand on the front lines, the responsibility to protect Jewish communities must be shared by national governments, law enforcement, and international institutions.
Addressing Mayor Nemesh directly, the coalition praised his moral clarity and leadership, noting his long-standing engagement in confronting antisemitism, including participation in international Mayors Summits Against Antisemitism. Their message was simple and resolute: Sydney’s Jews are not alone, and neither is Israel, the world’s only Jewish state, which continues to bear the brunt of global incitement originating from extremist Palestinian factions and their Arab and Islamist enablers.
The letter concluded with condolences to the victims’ families and a renewed commitment to confront antisemitism wherever it appears—before words become bullets again.
