WELLINGTON, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand has ramped up security for Jewish communities following a fatal antisemitic mass shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Monday.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Jewish leaders privately, Luxon called the attack "antisemitism in all its ugliness and cruelty," vowing solidarity with Jewish communities in Australia, New Zealand and worldwide.
"Terrorism and hate have no place in our societies, violence of any kind is unacceptable whether it is targeted at people of Jewish or any other faith," Luxon said.
New Zealand police are patrolling synagogues, schools and sites of worship nationwide. Hanukkah events are now confined to gated venues with security amid fears of violence, according to a report of Radio New Zealand (RNZ).
The national terrorism threat level around New Zealand remains unchanged.
Australian authorities have confirmed that 16 people aged between 10 and 87 years old, including an alleged shooter, have been confirmed dead after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd who had gathered at the iconic beach for an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Sunday night.
The RNZ report also cited Abdul Rassaq, chair of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, as saying that they had offered the Jewish community their sympathy and thoughts. ■
