THE CHIEF RABBI of Ireland has said he not completely surprised at the targeting of Jewish people in an Australian shooting.

Two men – a father and son – opened fire as more than a thousand people gathered to mark the first day of Hanukkah at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening. Of these, 15 people, including one child, were killed.

Speaking to Newstalk, Rabbi Yoni Weider said the shooting was not only an attack on Jewish people, but on “civilised values”.

He said that while the events are shocking, they are unsurprising, given a recent rise in antisemitic incidents in Australia.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an advocacy group, tallied more than 3,700 anti-Jewish incidents in the country over the last two years. The incidents ranged from anti-Israel graffiti to the arson and destruction of a Melbourne synagogue.

“Unfortunately, the writing in Australia was on the wall,” said Rabbi Weider.

“I’ve heard several Australian Jews saying that they’re not shocked by what happened. There’s been a steady rise of antisemitic incidents reported across the country and in Sydney itself.

He said “no serious action” was taken against such incidents, which “sends a dangerous message”. 

Rabbi Weider said he understands that protests against the Israeli state’s actions against Palestinians are generally not intended to promote hate towards Jewish people.

“For the most part, I don’t doubt their sincerity, but it is important to know that this distinction doesn’t hold up in practice for those who are seeking to intimidate and to marginalise the Jewish community,” he said.

The Chief Rabbi, who is based in Dublin, said he had a long conversation with Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly about how Ireland’s Jewish community can be protected in the wake of the attack.

“I’m very appreciative he reached out, and the priorities are absolutely clear. It’s about intelligence to learn of any potential threats before it’s too late. It’s about holding accountable anyone who’s made threats or incited violence,” he said.

Events held for Hannukah in the coming days will have extra security, which Rabbi Weider said has become a frequent feature of Jewish celebrations since 2023. 

“It’s one of our biggest celebrations, and we haven’t been able to publicise those as widely as we would like,” he said.

“This does not start and end with policing. The answer cannot always be to further increase security and to build our fences higher and higher.

“There is a brutal hatred that gets Jewish people in parts of the West and unfortunately in parts of Irish society too, and this needs to be confronted and uprooted.”

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said he spoke to the Garda Commissioner about policing measures specifically for Jewish events.

“In fact, I spoke to him many months ago about ensuring that such protection was in place for the Jewish community,” he said.

“The commissioner has assured me and the Chief Rabbi of his commitment to the safety of the Jewish community.”

The minister will attend a Hanukkah event today to sympathise and express solidarity.