Chanukah, also known as Chag Urim, meaning Festival of Lights, began in darkness this year when a massacre targeting the Jewish community occurred.
This atrocity took place on Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia on the first day of Chanukah,Sunday December 14th. The massacre cut short the lives of 15 Chanukah celebrators and hospitalized 42 more.
The United Jewish Peoples Fraternal Order (UJPFO), representing progressive, secular American Jews, condemns the grisly murders and the rising tide of Anti-Semitism that bred this violence.
In response to the massacre, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the occasion to further his political, right-wing agenda by claiming that the attack occurred because of Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese’s recognition of an independent state for Palestine. We, Jews, condemn Netanyahu for horribly exploiting this barbaric action to further deny the Palestinian people a state of their own.
Netanyahu’s vicious refusal to allow the Palestinian people a fraternal state neighboring Israel results in a daily explosive environment which prevents a peaceful, secure everyday life for the Jewish people in Israel.
The United Jewish Peoples Fraternal Order also recognizes the heroism of Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a Syrian-born Muslim who risked his life to stop the shooter from harming more people. UJPFO wishes Al-Ahmed a fast recovery as he receives treatment in the hospital.
United Jewish Peoples Fraternal Order opposes anti-Muslim bigotry that is spread by the reactionary, far-right, nationalist, and fascist organizations and personalities. Jews, with a history of being persecuted and marginalized by past societies, have learned that any scapegoating attacks are rooted in the dividing tactics of corporate interests against forces that represent the unity of all people. Jews in the United Jewish Peoples Fraternal Order stand firmly with all Semitic peoples, including Muslims, in opposing bigoted victimization of all peoples.