Guterres called the incident heinous and an assault on the values of tolerance and coexistence.

At least 11 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday. Media reports indicate that two police officers were among the dead. One attacker was killed at the scene while the other was arrested by authorities, who have described the incident as a terrorist attack.

In a social media post, Guterres said he was horrified by the violence and expressed solidarity with Jewish communities around the world as they began the festival of lights.

“My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hanukkah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness,” he wrote.

In a statement issued later, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the Secretary-General stood in solidarity with the people and Government of Australia, as well as with Jewish communities globally.

The statement added that Guterres unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all its forms, stressing that attacks on religious communities and peaceful celebrations strike at the core of human dignity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

The condemnation came as the UN chief was attending the opening of the 11th World Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilisations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The initiative, launched 20 years ago, aims to promote dialogue and understanding between cultures and religions.

The High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, also expressed outrage at the attack, offering condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.

Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish festival of lights, commemorates the restoration of religious freedom more than 2 000 years ago. The eight-day celebration is traditionally marked by the lighting of candles on a menorah, symbolising resilience, faith and hope in the face of oppression.

–UN/ChannelAfrica–