Indian American lawmakers have strongly condemned a terrorist attack targeting a Hanukkah celebration on December 14, 2025, at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, expressing solidarity with the victims, their families, and Jewish communities worldwide.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi described the incident as a devastating act of hatred. In a statement, he said, “The antisemitic terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney is a heartbreaking tragedy and a brutal act of hatred and violence. My heart is with the victims, their families, and all those mourning this devastating loss. This attack reflects a dangerous rise in antisemitic violence worldwide, with Jewish communities increasingly targeted for their faith.”

Emphasizing the need to confront hate, Krishnamoorthi added that antisemitism must be “rejected and confronted” wherever it appears, stating, “We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia and with Jewish communities across the world.”

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal also condemned the attack, saying, “My heart goes out to all the families and the Australian and global Jewish community in mourning after this horrific, antisemitic attack. We must all as citizens of the world work together to prevent these hateful, terrible acts of violence from happening, ever again.”

Congressman Ro Khanna called the incident deeply disturbing, stating, “The targeted terrorist attack on Jewish Americans in Australia on the first day of Hanukkah is appalling and sickening. Thinking of the victims and their families.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community of Sydney, Australia, as we face the horrors of this attack. This first night of Hanukkah celebrations reminds us that the lights of peace, love, and community are always resilient, always standing in opposition to darkness,” said Lieutenant Governor-elect of Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi. 

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also issued a statement, describing the incident as a “ghastly terrorist attack.” He said, “On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.” PM Modi added, “We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism.”

Brown University Shooting

The condemnations came amid another incident of violence in the United States. In a separate shooting at the Barus & Holley engineering building at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on December 13, two people were killed and nine others were critically wounded.

“My heart is with the Brown University community after today’s devastating shooting in Providence,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “We mourn those killed & injured, and stand with students, families, faculty, and first responders during this frightening time.”

Congress “must act” to end gun violence, he stressed. 

“It is so wrong that these mass shootings continue to happen,” said Congresswoman Jayapal adding “My heart is with the entire Brown community and all those affected, and this should do more than break our hearts. It should move us to action to enact real gun safety reforms.”

Congressman Khanna called it a “horrific mass shooting” adding that he was thinking of the victims and their families.

“We simply do not have to live this way. The failure to pass gun safety legislation is a moral stain and innocent Americans pay the price time and again,” he added. 

Responding to the broader climate of violence and hate, New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar shared “Another community shattered by gun violence. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We need real national and state action to prevent mass shootings, and we need clear answers about who did this, why it happened, and how we failed—so we can prevent the next tragedy.”

“I am heartbroken to learn that one of the students who died in the horrific campus shootings at Brown University in Rhode Island is one our own: a freshman who graduated just a few months ago from Midlothian High School in Chesterfield,” said Hashmi adding “Such a profound tragedy for his family and our broader Midlothian community.”

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