Muslims Slaughter 15 Jews at Aussie Chanukah

Muslims Slaughter 15 Jews at Aussie Chanukah
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
December 16, 2025

On Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis it had been suggested by a friend, in light of the horrific massacre of 15 Jewish people at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia celebrating the first night of Chanukah, that the menorah lighting here be canceled. Doing so, I objected, would simply give the terrorists the victory they wanted - plunging the global Jewish community into a panic and retreat from thousands of years of tradition.

Instead, not only did the many thousands of menorah lightings around the world take place, attendance outpaced expectations by wide margins, as Jews internationally refused to cower, flinch, or hide. In the darkness of death and despair, the lighting of the menorah offers hope, faith, and history.

Last year around Chanukah Rabbi Eli Schlanger said, “in the face of rising antisemitism, Jews don’t hide - they increase in spreading light. Be more Jewish, act more Jewish, and appear more Jewish.” The 41 year old rabbi, and father of five children, the youngest, a two month old son, lost his life in the Islamist terrorist rampage at Bondi Beach. 

All but one of the 15 murdered Jewish Bondi Beach revelers have been identified:

Matilda Britvan, 10, the youngest

Edith Brutman

Dan Elkayam, 27

Boris Gurman, 69 and wife

Sofia Gurman, 61

Alexander Kleytman, 87, the oldest and a Holocaust survivor

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39

Peter Meagher, 61

Reuven Morrison, 62

Marika Pogany, 82

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41

Adam Smyth, 50

Boris Tetleroyd

Tibor Weitzen, 78

May their memories be for a blessing.

In addition to the 15 murdered, more than 40 people suffered wounds, many life threatening, at the hands of a pair of father-son radical Islamic terrorists. Although police killed the 50 year old suspect and subdued his 24 year old son, the duo fired from multiple guns for 10 solid minutes at the Jewish celebrants running for their lives at Bondi Beach in the worst antisemitic incident in Australian history. (The Jewish population of Australia is about 118,000, out of a total national population of 27,690,000.) As of this date the surviving terrorist faces 59 charges - first degree murder and acts of terrorism.

Acts of antisemitism on the island continent have risen by 316 percent from 2023 through 2024, and the Hamas slaughter of 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023 has, no doubt, been the impetus of the rise in antisemitism. The Muslim extremist terrorists murder of those 1,200 Israelis totaled the largest single day slaughter of Jewish people since the Holocaust. Calls to globalize the intifada have resulted in just that - the globalization of the intifada - far and wide - Western Europe, Israel, throughout the United States, and, of course Australia, as the precipitous rise in antisemitism has become more and more reminiscent of 1930s Germany.

But what is perhaps equally as disturbing is the warning signs that have been flashing like a blue light special at the now defunct K-Mart - and ignored. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu placed blame squarely on the narrow shoulders of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese citing two main reasons. Albanese, as well as the so-called leaders of Canada, France, and Great Britain, in a weak-kneed, conciliatory manner, endorsed the creation of a Palestinian state. This most certainly opened the floodgates even farther for increased antisemitism. This, plus the increased signals that have been ignored, gave a wide berth to the terrorists who acted with reckless abandon in their slaughter of 15 innocent Jewish observers on the first night of Chanukah.

“Instead, Prime Minister, you replaced weakness with weakness and appeasement with more appeasement. Your government did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia. You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country. You took no action - you let the disease spread and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today,” said Netanyahu in response to the antisemitic terror attacks at Bondi Beach.

“We have repeatedly warned the Australian government of the urgent need to uproot the spreading antisemitism in Australia,” said Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, also on Sunday.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken from the Coalition for Jewish Values said the Australian prime minister has blood on his hands. 

In light of Netanyahu communicating intelligence to Australia about antisemitism and warning that something like the Chanukah attack could happen, The Times of Israel reported on Monday, December 15 the “Australian PM rejects Netanyahu’s linking of Palestine recognition to Bondi attack.” To which the same paper quoted Albanese saying, “overwhelmingly, most of the world recognizes a two-state solution as being the way forward in the Middle East.” Sadly, Albanese is part of the problem both with his naivete on the potential success of a two state solution, as well as his failure to mention Jews or antisemitism during his initial remarks following the antisemitic murders at Bondi Beach.

A timeline of Australian antisemitism since the Hamas Islamist terror attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023:

        October 9, 2023: more than 1,000 pro-Palestinians chanting “gas the Jews” and “F the Jews,” outside the famed Sydney Opera House;

        October 13, 2024: a Jewish bakery marred with graffiti and vandalism in Sydney;

        December 6, 2024: a Melbourne synagogue firebombed;

        December 11, 2024: a car set on fire and antisemitic graffiti on homes in Sydney;

        January 10, 2025: Allawah synagogue in southern Sydney vandalized with swastikas and other graffiti condemning Jews and praising Hitler;

        January 21, 2025: Sydney childcare center set ablaze and had antisemitic graffiti - “F the Jews;”

        February 12, 2025: two hospital nurses in Sydney suspended for making antisemitic remarks - also threatened to kill Jewish/Israeli patients;

        July 4, 2025: Arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue with 20 worshippers inside;

        December 14, 2025: Bondi Beach Chanukah massacre, 15 murdered, 40-plus wounded.

This is yet another reason not to reward terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and ISIS, who have written into their charters the destruction of Israel and the death of the Jewish people, with a state existing side by side with Israel, or anywhere else, for that matter. In fact homemade ISIS flags were found amongst the father-son terrorist’s belongings, indicating the influence the terror organization had on the duo.

This is also another reason not to castigate Israel for not accepting so-called Palestinian refugees. Where is the outcry over the 50-plus Arab/Muslim nations, all of whom have issued the same rejection of their ethnic brethren. They know full well that welcoming these so-called refugees will in no way improve those countries. These are radical Islamist terrorists hell bent on destruction of life and land. 

A modicum of proof comes from the 2005 vacating of Gaza by an entire Jewish community. They not only dug up graves for reinternment outside of Gaza, but left infrastructure in place, including greenhouses. Under Hamas’ authoritarian rule - the Gazans elected Hamas and there has not been another election since - the infrastructure was razed, including the greenhouses. In its place, Hamas constructed several hundred miles of tunnels through which they could carry out their terrorist atrocities - including holding 250 Israelis and others hostage for more than two years. Hiding behind women and children, placing bombs and other munitions in elementary schools, hospitals, and even their mosques, these radical Islamist terrorists “live” a culture of death. They reward mothers who strap bombs on their own children to detonate within Jewish communities.

Whether Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda, Haqqani network, Houthis, Ansar Bait al-Maqqis, ISIS, and/or the Islamic Republic of Iran these jihadists are already infiltrating the United States. This is just the tip of the iceberg of a more exhaustive list. They are not here to assimilate and help make America great again. At more than two billion people globally, the Muslim population is the fastest growing in the United States, and they are seeking to impose Sharia to supplant the United States Constitution. They have already created several Sharia courts in a few states - Alabama and Texas, for example. They’re here and have committed a greater number of terrorist attacks than any other group. There have been over 65,000 Muslim terror attacks in 70-plus countries since 2001. All anyone needs to do is look at the results of unfettered Muslim migration in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, and for the past three to four decades in towns and cities near you. Other faiths such as Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, and Jews account for less than two percent of terror attacks combined. None, from any religious group or otherwise, are acceptable. 

When people tell you they are coming for you, believe them. First it’s the Saturday people - the Jewish people - the canary in the coal mine, then it’s the Sunday people - Christians. Witness the Muslim slaughter of Christians in Nigeria, where more than 56,000 Christians have been murdered in the last four years. These are not a peaceful people. We, the patriotic Americans who abide by Judeo-Christian beliefs and values as well as the Constitution must do all we can to protect the United States of America in order for it to continue to be a beacon unto the world - a safe haven for those who may be oppressed, wish to immigrate to America to make this a better country. We want givers, not takers - people who will contribute to, and not be a drain on society. Those who come from countries who live under a culture of death, countries where their people march in the streets shouting “death to America,” and “death to Israel,” should never be welcome to enter the United States of America. This is not racist or bigoted. This is a matter of self-preservation. May G-d comfort the mourners and families of the slain Australians, and may G-d continue to Bless the United States of America.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

This Chanukah Shine a Brighter Light on Antisemitism

This Chanukah Shine a Brighter Light on Antisemitism
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
December 4, 2023

While the war in Israel heats up once again, thanks to Hamas violating the cease fire, it is also time to focus our attention on the heat of a more serene nature. That would be the heat emanating from the lights to be kindled starting Thursday night as the Jewish community the world over ushers in Chanukah - the Festival of Lights.

Thursday night December 7 (also Pearl Harbor Day - lest we forget), Kislev 25 on the Jewish calendar is the commencement of a festival celebrating sovereignty, religious rights and freedom, as well as protecting and recapturing a homeland that had been many times invaded by Greeks, Persians, Romans, and Syrians.

The mere dates and locations of the history of Chanukah is proof positive that the Jewish people are the rightful residents in the Holy Land - the Land of Israel. The history of Chanukah dates back more than 2000 years - long before Palestinians or Muslims invaded the Jewish Biblical, ancestral, historical homeland of the Jewish people - the indigenous peoples of Israel. The history of Chanukah includes the lands of Judea and Jerusalem.

Chanukah - the Festival of Lights - where we do not hide behind masks as Israel’s and the Jewish people’s adversaries do, nor do we hide in the dark. The Jewish people shine a light as a beacon for the world to see the results of peace and freedom - the same freedom many Arab Israelis have attested that they enjoy as Israelis and not in any Arab/Muslim country.

This year, that beacon of light is ever more important to fight the ignorance that is mounting, virulent Antisemitism from coast to coast in the United States on far too numerous college campuses, in city streets, where violence and vandalism has been growing more frequent akin to Kristallnacht. (https://sanfordspeaksout.blogspot.com/2023/11/jew-hating-like-its-1938.html)

This year, that beacon of light is ever more important to fight the arrogance that campus denizens who clearly have never learned a lick of history, deign to make demands of a foreign government (almost as arrogant as the Biden administration - see Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken). Their arrogance to clamor for a cease fire that heretofore existed on October 6 before Hamas shattered it with their invasion of Israel, their slaughter of 1,400 Israeli civilians, the rape of innocent girls and women, the decapitation of babies, and the kidnapping of more than 240 innocent people from Israel, the United States, Italy, Mexico, and many other nations ranging in ages from, then eight months, to 85 years old. 

It is beyond arrogance when there is video evidence of these crimes against humanity perpetrated by Hamas and uploaded by Hamas, which is then ignored by the useful idiots on campus and within the so-called mainstream media. And useful idiots they are, if they think for one second they themselves would be spared by Hamas - in their anti-Sharia dress, their signs of support for the gay and trans communities, and the self-loathing Jews siding with Hamas. Once again, this arrogance and ignorance stems from a paucity of historical data and knowledge. 

They are arrogant to think their calls for a two state solution will succeed - whether those calls come from campus or the White House - it is demonstrative of their lack of knowledge of history. All anyone need do is read the charters as established by both Hamas and Hezbollah to LEARN that a two state solution is untenable when one of the states only wants the eradication of the other state and the death of the people of that state. Those supporting a two state solution, those supporting Hamas, those chanting the death mantra of “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” only seek two things - the destruction of Israel and the death of the Jewish people. They may claim to be pro-Palestinian, but they, in reality, are anti-Zionist, anti-Semitic, anti-American, anti-capitalist, anti-democracy, and anti-Western Civilization. They have been indoctrinated to believe in a black and white set of options - oppressors and oppressed, that Israel with its success represents the West, represents white people, and therefore could not be the oppressed peoples, and could only be the oppressors. Once again, the lack of knowledge of history plays a key role.

The reality is that when Israel vacated Gaza in 2005, it left intact the infrastructure - buildings, green houses, schools, hospitals, that would in turn be razed by Hamas, the ruling faction elected in 2006. Hamas has not held a single election since. Hamas has prevented its own people from relocating. Hamas hides behind its children and most vulnerable using them as human shields. Hamas has used billions of dollars worth of materials designated for the infrastructure of Gaza to build more than 300 miles of rather intricate tunnel systems from which to wage war, store weapons, and ammunition under and in hospitals, children’s bedrooms, even mosques - their own holy house of worship. From the category of good versus evil, they could have used their engineering smarts for the betterment of the Gazan people and live life instead of worshiping a cult of death as Hamas does. Learning this and additional genuine history would be a great 2023 Chanukah miracle.

Israel is neither an occupier nor a colonialist as is incorrectly bandied about during the less than peaceful protests and on signs. The Greeks and Syrians occupied present day Israel more than 2000 years ago - including during 222-186 BCE (Before the Common Era), under Antiochus III, king of Syria - oppressing the Jewish people in their Biblical and ancestral homeland. Upon the death of Antiochus III, his son Seleucus IV took the reins, imposing even greater taxes on the Jewish people in an effort to pay his own debt to the Romans. Hellenists attempted to force the Jewish people to worship Hellenist idols, but the Jews resisted as “Judaism emphasizes truth and moral purity, as commanded by G-d in the Holy Torah.” (chabad.org) Seems the anti-Israel, anti-Semitic, pro-Hamas crowd, “can’t handle the truth,” to borrow from Jack Nicholson’s Col. Nathan Jessep in A Few Good Men (1992).

Upon the death of Seleucus, his brother Antiochus IV began his reign (174 BCE) - a worse tyrant than his brother before him - responsible for the slaughter of thousands of Jews in the Holy Land. Antiochus IV inflicted numerous Antisemitic laws against the Jewish people, such as forbidding Jewish worship (confiscation of, and burning of Torahs), prohibition of Shabbat observance, circumcisions, and kashrut (observance of dietary laws), all under penalty of death.

This occupation and the Draconian laws imposed upon the Jewish people lead to a series of military battles. The Jewish people won the war for their sovereignty and religious freedoms. (This is something the people of Gaza can do as well for themselves - against Hamas - their de facto masters.) The victory by the Jewish people came under the leadership of Judah, son of Mattityahu, the old priest. Mattityahu instructed the people to “follow the counsel of… Shimon the Wise,” and “their leader should be Judah the Strong,” a.k.a. Judah the Maccabee. (chabad.org)

Judah and his fellow Maccabees returned to Jerusalem, freed their people, and restored their Holy Temple to the Jewish people - only after clearing it of idols, properly cleaning it, and built a new altar dedicated on 25 Kislev 139 BCE. When lighting the new menorah, there seemed to be only enough oil for one night, but “by a miracle of G-d, it continued to burn for eight days,” until new oil became available. (chabad.org)

This very  brief history of Chanukah includes the freeing of Judea - recovered by the Jewish people having been overrun by Syrian armies. The Jewish people celebrated their victory with gratitude to G-d, with Psalms and offerings in a period of thanksgiving.

This second Holy Temple stood for another 210 years (420 in total) until its destruction in 70 CE (Common Era) by the Roman invaders. Jews lived under foreign rule and occupation by Greeks, Persians, Romans, and Syrians.

There are two schools of thought regarding the lighting of the Chanukah menorah. One starts with eight candles and removes one each night until there is but one candle on the eighth night. The other school of thought, and the one followed by global Judaism, is to add a candle each night until there are eight on the eighth night, thus adding to the light, making it brighter, not depleting it, making it darker. There is one additional candle for each night, plus a “leader” candle - the shamash - designated to light all the others.

This year it has been suggested that Jewish people either not light their menorahs or keep them hidden so as not to be seen from the outside in light of the war and the exponential rise in rabid Antisemitism (up 388 percent since October 7 - as per the ADL) around the globe. When the menorah is lit, it should be either in a doorway or on a windowsill so as to BE visible. 

In 2023 that tradition will be upheld once again. We will not be deterred by ignorance. In fact, there have been postings on social media that non-Jews also put a menorah or candles in their doorway or on their windowsill to demonstrate their support of Israel and their Jewish friends and neighbors. Let’s shine a brighter light to rid the world of the oldest hatred - Antisemitism, and create yet another Chanukah miracle. Wishing all a happy, healthy, and meaningful Festival of Lights with plenty of latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot  (jelly doughnuts), while praying for the miracle of the return of the remaining 137 hostages held by Hamas.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN. He last visited Israel in 2019 with his wife.

For proper Blessings for Chanukah, menorah, and candles, please visit: https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/5746657/jewish/Menorah-Blessings.htm