Montreal’s city council moved swiftly and unanimously on Monday to condemn what it called an antisemitic terrorist attack in Australia, adopting a joint declaration denouncing the mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach and expressing solidarity with the victims, their families and the Jewish community both abroad and at home.
The declaration describes the attack as a direct affront to Montreal’s values and acknowledges the fear, anxiety and deep concern it has caused among Jewish Montrealers. The shooting took place during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, where two gunmen opened fire on a crowd marking the start of the holiday, killing at least fifteen people and injuring dozens more. Authorities in Australia have classified the incident as terrorism and are investigating evidence pointing to an extremist motive.
Presenting the declaration, Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada said the city “vigorously condemns” the attack and stands fully with those affected. She noted that celebrations meant to bring light and joy had instead been targeted with deadly violence, an act she said resonates painfully with Jewish communities far beyond Australia’s borders.
In response to the attack, the Montreal police department has increased its visibility and presence at local Hanukkah events and has been meeting with Jewish community leaders to address safety concerns. City officials stressed that there is no specific threat identified in Montreal, but said heightened vigilance is necessary given the broader climate of antisemitism and targeted violence.
Several councillors and borough mayors spoke during the council meeting, framing the declaration as both a moral stance and a practical reminder of the responsibility elected officials have to protect the right to practise religion freely and without fear. Interim Projet Montréal leader Ericka Alneus said the events in Australia underline the need for governments everywhere to act clearly and decisively against hatred directed at religious minorities.
Plateau Mont Royal mayor Cathy Wong said antisemitism must be denounced “clearly and without ambiguity,” describing the borough’s Jewish community as vibrant, engaged and an integral part of Montreal’s social fabric. She pointed to the participation of city officials in Hanukkah celebrations following the attack as a visible sign of solidarity, adding that such gestures send an important message in moments of grief and fear.
Councillors also highlighted individual acts of courage during the attack itself, including the actions of an Australian man credited by authorities with helping disarm one of the attackers. While praising such bravery, speakers emphasized that combating antisemitism also requires daily acts of openness, tolerance and responsibility from institutions and individuals alike.
The declaration commits the city to continued collaboration with police, community groups and institutional partners to ensure safe and inclusive public spaces, while reaffirming Montreal’s solidarity with Australian authorities and all communities affected by the violence. Hanukkah events continued across the Montreal area Monday evening under increased security, as the city sought to balance mourning, vigilance and the determination not to allow terror to silence public religious life.
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