Rabbi says Jewish community in pain after attack

The entire Jewish community has been left "in shock and pain" after two gunmen killed 15 people celebrating Hanukkah on Bondi Beach in Australia, a Bristol rabbi has said.

The two attackers were father and son - Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as "an act of antisemitism [and] terrorism ".

Speaking at the city's annual Hanukkah celebration on Sunday, Rabbi Mendy said many Jewish people were fearful after the attack but far more "stood strong", united in their faith.

"We are blessed to be in a beautiful city and in a nice neighbourhood but I think in the UK, in general, many Jewish people feel under threat," he said.

On Sunday 14 December, at 18:47 local time (07:47 GMT), police received reports that shots had been fired at a park in Bondi Beach.

Verified videos captured people fleeing, screaming and running as multiple gunshots were heard in the background.

The older gunman was shot dead by police, while his son is in a critical condition in hospital.

Mass shootings in Australia are very rare. The attack is the country's deadliest incident since 1996.

Police have declared the incident a terror attack.

The director of Bath & North East Somerset Faith Foundation said he had written to the prime minister and home secretary asking the government to make Holocaust denial a crime in the UK.

Nathan Hartley said denial of the Holocaust was currently an arrestable offence in 17 European countries as well as Canada and Israel.

"It's time now for the United Kingdom to follow suit and join with the other countries around the world who have legislated against denial of the Holocaust," he said.

"Such crimes should never be allowed to happen in our country."

Jenny Silverstone, chairman of Cheltenham Hebrew Congregation, said she was also "still in complete shock".

She added: "It was so unexpected. We've never been free of these awful dreadful events."

Ms Silverstone said she wanted the attack to be "a wake-up call".

She said: "Any kind of hate matters and it needs to be dealt with."

After the incident first made headline news Iris Segal, from the Progressive Reformed Synagogue, said Avon and Somerset Police contacted the synagogue wishing to increase security in Bristol so planned events could still go ahead across the city.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said: "There is no place for hate crime or violence anywhere in our society."

He added: "We remain committed to supporting and safeguarding anyone who is targeted because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability."

Rabbi Mendy said he was very grateful for the police's support.

"We hope the government will take more concrete action to ensure that this hatred doesn't go unchecked," he said.

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