UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced criticism after sharing a Hanukkah message during an active shooting at Bondi Beach, Australia.
As reported by Ben McCaffrey of GB News, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faced heavy criticism after posting a Hanukkah message shortly after reports of a shooting at Bondi Beach during Jewish celebrations.
How did critics react to Keir Starmer’s Hanukkah post amid Bondi beach shooting?
The Prime Minister posted on X,
“As Jewish communities come together to celebrate Chanukah, I send my warmest wishes to families across the UK and around the world.”
He added,
“May the Festival of Lights bring hope, peace and comfort. Chanukah Sameach.”
The post prompted sharp backlash as the situation unfolded, with one user calling it “the worst-timed tweet in the history of this app.”
One critic said,
“Starmer is a robot. Currently in ‘sleep mode.’”
Another user stated,
“You might want to pull this down,”
with a fourth one saying,
“Delete this man…people just been killed on the same event.”
In a separate tweet, Mr Starmer offered condolences and shared his thoughts with Bondi attack victims.
The Prime Minister said,
“Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi beach. I’m being kept updated on the developing situation.”
What happened at the Bondi Beach Hanukkah party?
A mass shooting occurred during the annual “Hanukkah by the Sea” celebration at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
New South Wales Police confirmed one of the ten Bondi Beach victims is believed to be an attacker, while the second gunman remains critically injured. Two police officers are among the 11 others injured, as authorities continue their investigation following the public shooting.
Nearly 2,000 members of the Jewish community had gathered at the beach for the event, organized by the Chabad movement, which featured food, activities, and the lighting of a giant menorah to mark the first night of Hanukkah.
Two men, dressed in black and armed with rifles, opened fire on the crowd around 6:40 pm local time. Witnesses reported hearing around 50 gunshots and seeing people running in panic from the scene.
Authorities confirmed a rapid emergency response, with one suspect taken into custody in critical condition and the second identified among the deceased. A security cordon was imposed while investigations continued.
How are authorities responding to suspicious items at the Bondi beach shooting scene?
New South Wales Police confirmed they are examining “suspicious items” found at Bondi Beach, saying,
“Emergency services were called to Campbell Parade about 6.45pm, responding to reports of shots being fired. Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended assisted by multiple resources across the city.”
They added,
“A number of suspicious items located in the vicinity are being examined by specialist officers and an exclusion zone is in place. A multi-agency response is continuing. An extensive crime scene has been established and inquiries are now under way. There have been no reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to this incident.”
What did Shabana Mahmood say about Bondi beach attack?
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed she will discuss the Bondi Beach attack with her Australian counterpart on Sunday.
She said,
“I’ve just seen the breaking news as I’ve arrived into the studio here this morning. I can fully understand the anxiety this might be causing people here at home about relatives over in Australia, but first and foremost, our thoughts must be with the victims of this attack in Australia and with with the Australian people as well.”
Ms Mahmood added,
“We will obviously watch closely as details emerge of what exactly has happened, and I’ll be talking to my Australian counterpart later on today.”
How did the British Jewish Community respond to the Bondi beach attack?
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said in a statement,
“We are devastated to hear reports of a shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, with multiple fatalities at a Jewish Hanukkah event. While details emerge, we have been in touch with our Australian partners at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry to express our solidarity and offer our support.”
They added,
“We have also been in touch with the UK Government, who are monitoring the situation closely, to discuss the UK response. The scourges of terrorism and antisemitism are shared, international challenges and need concerted and determined action to defeat them.”
When is Hanukkah celebrated?
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish “Festival of Lights” that is celebrated annually, starting on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev.
For 2025, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday, December 14, and ends at Monday, December 22.
Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE after the Maccabees, a small group of Jewish fighters, liberated it from the occupying Syrian-Greek forces.
The 2025 Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, faced a mass shooting attack today, Sunday, December 14.
