U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged Jewish Americans to celebrate Hanukkah confidently following a deadly shooting at a Jewish event in Australia. His remarks came amid global concern over antisemitic violence.
Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Trump said Jewish Americans should not fear celebrating their faith. He stated: “Celebrate proudly – be proud of who you are.” He emphasized that people should not feel intimidated when observing religious traditions.
The comments followed a mass shooting at a “Hanukkah by the Sea” event at Bondi Beach in Australia. Authorities described the incident as a targeted attack against the Jewish community.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly condemned the violence, calling it an assault on the nation’s values. He said: “An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian and every Australian tonight will be, like me, devastated on this attack on our way of life.”
Albanese stressed zero tolerance for such acts, adding: “There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear. We will eradicate it.”