President Donald Trump talks to reporters as arrives on the South Lawn of the White House. (Photo: AP)
US President Donald Trump has urged Jewish Americans to “celebrate proudly” during Hanukkah following a deadly shooting at a Jewish event in Sydney, Australia, Fox News reported.
At least 11 people were killed and dozens injured when a gunman opened fire during a “Hanukkah by the Sea” gathering at Bondi Beach on Sunday. One suspect was also killed, according to police.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said Jewish Americans should not live in fear. “Celebrate proudly be proud of who you are,” the president told Fox News.
However, Trump praised Ahmed al Ahmed, the brave bystander who tackled and disarmed one of the shooters at the Bondi Beach attack, saying, “The actions of a brave individual who confronted and attacked one of the shooters, saving lives despite being seriously wounded. Very brave person, great respect to that man that did that,” Trump said.
Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner, was seriously injured while intervening, but authorities said his actions likely prevented further loss of life.
.@POTUS addresses the weekend's loss of life: "I want to to just pay my respects… Brown University — nine injured and two are looking down on us right now from Heaven. Likewise, in Australia, as you know, that was a terrible attack… In Syria, we [lost] three great Patriots." pic.twitter.com/deUEMPlkOk
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as a targeted attack on the Jewish community.
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“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian,” Albanese said at a press conference. “There is no place for hate, violence or terrorism in our nation.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reacted to the incident, speaking at a government meeting in Dimona, Israel. He said he had warned Albanese earlier this year that rising antisemitism in Australia needed stronger action.
“History will not forgive hesitation and weakness,” Netanyahu said, according to Fox News. “It will honour action and strength.”
Netanyahu also praised a bystander who helped stop the attacker. “We saw the action of a brave man a Muslim brave man who stopped one of these terrorists from killing innocent Jews,” he said.
Yael Eckstein, president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, said the attack showed the global nature of extremist violence.
“Terror doesn’t stop in America or Europe or Australia,” Eckstein said on Fox & Friends Weekend. “The answer to this darkness is light.” Fox News said investigations into the attack are ongoing.
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President Donald Trump talks to reporters as arrives on the South Lawn of the White House. (Photo: AP) 
