UK Chief Rabbi Shares Family’s Ordeal During Deadly Bondi Beach Attack

The UK’s chief rabbi has spoken of the fear experienced by his own family during the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, saying his cousin and his cousin’s wife narrowly escaped death after hiding for 15 terrifying minutes as gunmen opened fire.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis said his relatives were forced to take cover beneath a doughnut stand as chaos erupted around them. He described how people standing just meters away were shot and killed while his family members remained frozen in fear, unsure if they would survive. His account has added a deeply personal dimension to the tragedy, which has shocked Jewish communities and political leaders around the world.

The attack took place on Sunday during a public Hanukkah gathering on the beach, where families had come together to celebrate. Two gunmen opened fire on the crowd, killing 15 people, including a 10 year old girl, and injuring dozens more. Australian authorities have described the incident as a targeted terrorist attack against the Jewish community.

Speaking publicly, Rabbi Mirvis said his cousin later told him that the minutes spent hiding felt endless, as gunshots rang out and panic spread across the beach. He said the couple could hear screams and see people falling nearby, with no clear idea of when the violence would end or whether they would be discovered.

Despite the trauma, the chief rabbi delivered a message of defiance. He said the attack would not deter Jews in the United Kingdom or elsewhere from living their faith openly and proudly. According to Rabbi Mirvis, public celebration of Jewish life has always been an essential part of community identity, and giving in to fear would only reward hatred and extremism.

The attack has prompted renewed concern about antisemitism and the safety of Jewish communities worldwide. Leaders across Europe, Israel, and Australia condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. Vigils have been held in several countries to honor those who lost their lives.

In the UK, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded by pledging strong support for British Jews. He said the Bondi Beach attack should not be viewed in isolation but as part of a wider pattern of hatred and extremism that must be confronted. Starmer stressed that the government would do everything necessary to protect Jewish communities and ensure they feel safe attending public events and places of worship.

British police and security services have already increased patrols around synagogues and Jewish community centers in recent months, and officials said those measures would continue. Community leaders welcomed the assurances but said long term efforts to tackle hate speech and radicalization were also essential.

In Australia, investigations into the attack are ongoing, with authorities examining how the gunmen were able to carry out such violence at a public gathering. Officials have promised a full review of security arrangements for major cultural and religious events.

For Rabbi Mirvis, the story is no longer only about headlines or global politics. It is about family members who survived by chance and the innocent lives that were lost. He said remembering the victims and standing firm against hatred is now a shared responsibility for people of all faiths and backgrounds.