New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and other NYPD officials for a press conference at One Police Plaza in Manhattan on Sunday, Dec. 14, to discuss security outside New York City synagogues, at Menorah lightings and Jewish gatherings in light of a terrorist attack on Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia that took place earlier on Sunday and which they said targeted Jewish Australians celebrating the first day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

 

The Associated Press reported that at least 15 people were killed in the attack which was reportedly carried out by a father and son, and that around 40 more were injured. An apparent Muslim bystander identified as Ahmed El Ahmad, has been seen in footage tackling and taking down one of the gunmen, while in other released footage of the attack, numerous beachgoers are seen fleeing for their lives.

 

During Sunday’s press conference, Adams said that in the 24 preceding hours, people had witnessed a tragedy that had swept the entire globe. “We went to sleep with the horrific report of a mass shooting at Brown University, and woke up in the middle of the night to news of a local one, where six individuals, teenagers, young people were shot in Brooklyn, and we woke up this morning to hear about a devastating terrorist attack in Austria,” the mayor said, later clarifying that he actually meant Australia.

 

Adams said the Brooklyn shooting took place amid a sweet sixteen gathering, and spoke of the importance of what he said was the continued effort to remove illegal guns from the City’s streets. He said the close to 25,000 illegal guns that have been removed to date from New York City’s streets have saved lives and he sent his prayers and thoughts to the families of the victims.

 

“Our City stands with the communities of Brown University, Brooklyn and Austria [Australia]” the mayor added, the first location in reference to a mass shooting which occurred on the Rhode Island university campus on Saturday, Dec. 13, resulting in the killing of at least two students, the injuring of nine others, and where authorities said they have detained a person of interest.

 

“We clearly believe that families should never have to endure this level of violence, and we have talked about it over and over again,” the mayor said. Adams went on to condemn the “violence and terrorism” that he said had “engulfed” New York City, the country, and the globe, adding, “particularly antisemitism.” He continued, “We need to call it what it is. This was just not a random act of violence that took place. It was antisemitic and targeted Jewish people.”

 

The mayor continued, “We are surging NYPD counter-terrorism officers and critical response command. We did this periodically after the attacks of Oct. 7th, but let me be clear. We are doing this out of an over-abundance of caution. In Sydney, the police had a.. what appears to be a slower response. I’m sure the investigation will determine what happened but I do know this. Specialized units play a primary role and function to go and respond to terrorist attacks of this nature.”

 

In an apparent dig at Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Adams added, “It is ill-advised to talk about the dismantling of the SRG (strategic response group) team, the same team that went into 345 Park Avenue when we [know] now that a lone gunman took the lives of innocent New Yorkers.” Adams was referring to the mass shooting in July that took the life of four New Yorkers, including Det. Didarul Islam of the 47th Precinct in The Bronx, Julia Hyman, Wesley LePatner, who had both attended school in The Bronx, and Aland Etienne.

 

He continued, “It took the courage of a civilian to take down one of the shooters [in Australia]” the mayor said in reference to El Ahmad. “The country was lucky that the civilian was there.” he added. “Public safety can’t be luck. Specialized units like SRG are trained for these encounters and this illustrates the necessity of the strategic response groups who are ready to respond to terrorist attacks on a mass scale.” 

 

Adams said the Sydney attack did not come out of nowhere but was the consequences of Islamic extremism. “We have to be clear on that,” he said, adding that his remarks were “not an attack on Muslim brothers and sisters who carry out their faith everyday, but it is the hijacking of their religion by Islamic extremists.” The mayor continued, “Words have meaning, words have impact, and words have power. Everyone needs to understand what words mean before they repeat them, before they shout them, before they defend them. That attack in Sydney is exactly what it means to globalize the intifada.” 

 

As reported, it was reported on X that during a podcast interview with The Bulwark on June 17, Mamdani argued that the phrase “Globalize the Intifada” was an expression of Palestinian rights and refused to outright condemn it. He has since said he understands the phrase is interpreted differently by the Jewish population and discourages its use.

 

Adams continued, “We saw the actual application of the globalization of the intifada in Sydney because the attacker knew who he was targeting, and he knew why. It is the first night of Hanukkah, the festival of lights, where Jews are obligated to publicize the celebration of their faith. Among the murdered victims of the attack [was] a rabbi who had ties to Crown Heights [Brooklyn], as well as a Holocaust survivor, killed for being Jewish.”

 

The mayor continued, in part, “Antisemitism has no place in our City, in our society, or in our world, and I will continue to fight for this community and all communities of this City, and for fellow brothers and sisters from the Jewish community.” Adams said for the past four years, his administration had stood by that community, not just as a mayor but “as an ally, as a father, and as a human being.”

 

He said it was not enough for human beings to turn down the temperature of hate. “We must shut it off completely,” Adams said. “Here, in New York City, we must call out hate without fear and without apology, because we will not be silent in the face of bigotry, of hatred to any group. We’re going to be defiant, we’re going to be resilient. All New Yorkers deserve to feel proud about their heritage. They deserve to feel safe in their displays of pride.” He went on to honor a specific Jewish family (the Mackabees?) who he said had demonstrated that spirit and won.” 

 

Adams continued, “This evening, we will celebrate the first night of the miracle of Hanukkah, no matter the tragedies we have experienced as a City, as a country, and as a globe in the last 24 hours. We will never forget that on an evening, that in moments of darkness, when it seems like [it] might last forever, there will always be a light.” 

 

For her part, Tisch spoke about the Brooklyn shooting and said none of the injuries of the victims appear to be life-threatening and that two suspects are sought in connection to it. She said the exact motive was unknown but it appears to be gang related. The police commissioner said in relation to the active shooter incident at Brown University, “While that incident remains under investigation and there is no known nexus to New York City, we have deployed additional resources to college campuses and universities throughout the City as a precaution.”

 

In relation to the terrorist attack in Australia, Tisch reiterated that it was a deliberate one against the Jewish community. “Our hearts are with the victims, their families, Chabad [Jewish meaning honored or glorified], and Jewish communities here and around the world,” she said. She said since the Bondi beach attack, the NYPD had been in continuous contact with law enforcement partners in Australia, and was receiving direct updates from their NYPD liaison officer stationed in Sydney.

 

“We are closely monitoring developments as more verified information becomes available,” Tisch added. “This too remains an active investigation.” The commissioner said based on preliminary information, authorities reported that two suspects opened fire from an elevated position over Bondi Beach where hundreds had gathered to mark the first night of Hanukkah. She said Australian authorities confirmed that a vehicle containing undetonated explosive devices was located at the scene, and was believed to be linked to the suspects.  

 

Tisch said one of the attackers was confirmed dead and one was injured, the latter is in custody and was transferred to a local hospital. She said two Australian police officers were also critically injured in the attack and she confirmed that there was “no known nexus to New York City,” which has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel in the world.  She added, “We are not tracking any specific credible threats related to Hanukkah events here.”

 

Nonetheless, Tisch said that out of an abundance of caution, the NYPD was increasing security significantly around Hanukkah-related events, Menorah lightings, and Jewish houses of worship across the City. “As always, we will follow up on any tips, leads or intelligence and we are marshaling all available resources to ensure the safety of New Yorkers.”

 

The police commissioner continued, “I am going to be blunt; this is not an isolated incident. It is part of a wider assault on Jewish life, an environment in which Jewish hatred far exceeds rhetoric and erupts into horrifying acts of violence. Jewish communities are being forced to confront a threat that is persistent, active, and as evidenced yet again today, global in scope. That’s why the NYPD is acutely focused on prevention. We calibrate our presence to meet the threat, no matter where it lurks or [who] it targets.”

 

Tisch, who is Jewish, later spoke of a core idea in Jewish tradition around Hanukkah which means that those who light the candles are engaging in “Persumi Nisa” [publicizing the miracle of Hanukkah]. “That is why candles are lit publicly in windows, in front yards, in open and visible spaces,” she said. “It’s a declaration of faith, resilience, and continuity. That is what the Jewish community does in New York City every year and this year will be no different.”

 

She concluded, “I want Jewish New Yorkers to know that the NYPD will always be there to protect Jewish communities’ right to worship freely, to gather openly, and to celebrate without fear.” She asked New Yorkers to remain aware and alert and to call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

 

An NYPD spokesperson later said, “As Jews across New York City welcome the first night of Hanukkah, we want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday. The story of Hanukkah is an important reminder of the power of light over darkness, and that message is especially significant today. While there is currently no specific or credible threat to Hanukkah celebrations here, the NYPD will be out in full force at events and synagogues so that our communities can gather safely. As always, if you see something, say something. Call 888-NYC-SAFE”

 

In response to the Bondi beach terrorist attack, the mayor-elect said on Sunday, “The attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney today was a vile act of antisemitic terror. I mourn those who were murdered and will be keeping their families, the Jewish community, and the Chabad movement in my prayers. May the memories of all those killed be a blessing.”

 

He continued, “While we are still waiting for all the facts to emerge, what we already know is devastating. At least 11 dead, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who held deep ties to Crown Heights. At least 29 injured. Another Jewish community plunged into mourning and loss, a holiday of light so painfully reduced to a day of darkness. This attack is merely the latest, most horrifying iteration in a growing pattern of violence targeted at Jewish people across the world. Too many no longer feel safe to be themselves, to express their faith publicly, to worship in their synagogues without armed security stationed outside.”

 

Mamdani concluded, “What happened at Bondi is what many Jewish people fear will happen in their communities too. On Bondi Beach today, as men with long guns targeted innocents, another man ran towards the gunfire and disarmed a shooter. Tonight, as Jewish New Yorkers light menorahs and usher in a first night of Hanukkah clouded by grief, let us look to his example and confront hatred with the urgency and action it demands. When I am Mayor, I will work every day to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe—on our streets, our subways, at shul, in every moment of every day. Let this be a purpose shared by every New Yorker, and let us banish this horrific violence to the past.”

 

As reported, Van Cortlandt House Museum, located in Van Cortlandt Park which is close to a heavily populated Jewish community in Riverdale, postponed until January a “Cookies & Crafts” event scheduled for Sunday night. We reached out to the museum for comment as to the reason.

 

On Dec. 18, Margaret Holmes, director of the museum, said, “It was postponed due to a combination of the snow and the fact that several staff members were out sick. I hope to reschedule a similar family evening some time in January or February.”

Meanwhile, Woodlawn Conservancy, located in Norwood, The Bronx, cancelled a holiday concert scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, saying it was due to the arrival of the heavy snow. “The entire cemetery is closed to visitors,” a spokesperson added.

 

A separate, planned walking tour with the Bronx County Historical Society in Mott Haven was also postponed due to the snow.