NJ Israel Commission Responds to the Bondi Beach Terrorist Attack

Trenton (December 2025) - The leadership of the NJ Israel Commission is shocked and angered by this week's massacre at a Jewish community event in Sydney.

"As Jewish communities across the world prepare to celebrate Hanukkah, we are outraged, but not surprised, by the attack in Australia," Karin Elkis, Co-Chair of the NJ Israel Commission. "However, from New Jersey, we are sending condolences to Australia's grieving families this holiday season, and gratitude to the professional first responders and bystander heroes who put themselves in harm's way to protect our community."

"The last two years have seen an historic rise in antisemitic incidents," said Mark Levenson, Co-Chair of the NJ Israel Commission. "And yet, Jewish Australians did not run and hide. After this latest attack on Bondi Beach, during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, we pray for the victims and their families, and also celebrate the heroes who responded, putting themselves at risk."

About the New Jersey Israel Commission:
The New Jersey-Israel Commission, which operates within the New Jersey Department of State, was established in 1989 to promote the development of trade, culture and educational exchanges; encourage the development of capital investment and joint business ventures; and foster a spirit of cooperation between the citizens of the State of Israel and the State of New Jersey. New Jersey-Israel trade in goods accounted for approximately $1.7 billion annually, and thousands of jobs for New Jersey residents.