As the tragic loss of life from the shooting at Bondi Beach deepens, our prayers steadfastly hold all who are suffering: for the victims, the families and communities in mourning, the survivors on the path to recovery, and the first responders and health workers whose duty placed them at the heart of this trauma. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of Australia and worldwide. We unequivocally condemn this act of antisemitic hatred and violence. We reaffirm our commitment to stand with our Jewish neighbors against all forms of fear, bigotry and terror.

This tragedy, occurring as families gathered to celebrate a festival of light and hope, strikes at the heart of our shared humanity and the values of our faith. The WCRC affirms the God-given dignity of every person and the sacred right of all people to gather, worship and celebrate their traditions in safety and peace.

Guided by our calling as a global communion “committed to justice,” we recognize that our faith demands we speak and act against hatred in all its forms. Our recently concluded General Council declared that “antisemitism persists today through hate speech, conspiracy theories and violent attacks on Jewish communities. A particular form has emerged that conflates the actions of the state of Israel with those of Jewish people everywhere, placing entire communities at risk,” and called upon the Communion to “reject antisemitism, hostility and prejudice toward Jewish people, in all its forms” (General Council Action 75).

We are reminded that our witness for Christ is inseparable from the pursuit of justice, peace and the protection of the vulnerable. In this dark moment, we are called to persevere in witnessing to God’s love by rejecting the forces of division and standing firmly for compassion.

We give thanks for the courageous service of first responders, health workers and all who provided immediate care and comfort to the victims. We hold in our prayers all who are grieving: the families who have lost loved ones, the injured, the traumatized witnesses and the entire Jewish community whose sense of security has been violated.