Major cities around world ramp up security for Hanukkah events after Bondi attack

Berlin says it will ‘further intensify’ protection measures; NYC, London vow bolstered security; US Jewish groups, Israeli National Security Council issue new guidelines for events

BERLIN, Germany — Major cities, including Berlin, London, and New York, as well as Jewish communities around the world, stepped up security around Hanukkah events on Sunday following the attack on a celebration of the holiday at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in Australia.

At least 15 people were killed in the shooting, which was one of the deadliest attacks targeting Jews outside Israel in decades and the worst on Jews abroad since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.

Berlin police said they were ramping up measures around the German capital’s Brandenburg Gate, where a large electric menorah was being lit to mark the first night of Hanukkah.

“We have long planned comprehensive security for tonight’s Hanukkah event at the Brandenburg Gate — in light of the events in Sydney, we will further intensify our measures and maintain a strong police presence there,” a spokesperson said on X.

Security measures at synagogues and other Jewish institutions are the norm in Berlin, but a police spokesperson said these would be ramped up for the Hanukkah period.

Meanwhile in the US, New York Mayor Eric Adams said on X that extra protection was being deployed for Hanukkah celebrations and synagogues in New York City. In Warsaw’s main synagogue, in Poland, armed security was doubled for its Sunday evening event.

“We will continue to ensure the Jewish community can celebrate the holiday in safety — including at public menorah lightings across the city. Let us pray for the injured and stand together against hatred,” Adams said.

London’s Metropolitan Police said it had also increased security, but did not want to give details.

“While there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning, we are stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols, and engaging with the Jewish community to understand what more we can do in the coming hours and days,” it said in a statement.

France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez asked local authorities to reinforce security around Jewish places of worship during the December 14 to 22 period, a spokesperson for the minister said.

Nunez called for increased deployment of security forces, with particular vigilance around religious services and gatherings that draw large crowds, especially when they take place in public spaces, the spokesperson added.

Israel, US Jewish security orgs issue new guidelines for events

After the deadly shooting attack, Israel’s National Security Council warned that “past experience shows there is concern about copycat actions by supporters of terrorism who may be inspired by the event.”

The travel warning urged Israelis abroad to avoid unsecured mass gatherings, including at synagogues, Chabad houses, and Hanukkah parties.

“Remain vigilant around Jewish/Israeli sites and report to security forces if anything unusual is identified (a suspicious person or a suspicious object),” the NSC said.

Additionally, a group of US Jewish security groups released updated guidelines for Hanukkah events in the wake of the Sydney shooting.

The Secure Community Network, the Community Security Initiative, and the Community Security Service — three leading Jewish community groups in the US — issued a set of recommendations.

These included coordinating Hanukkah events with local law enforcement and security professionals; extending the security perimeter for events as far away from gatherings as possible; only allowing identifiable and pre-screened invitees into events, and not sending out mass invitations to the public; requiring registration and verification for all entrants; only providing event details, such as time and location, after invitees have registered; implementing access control, such as locked doors and security at entrances, for all events; reporting any suspicious activity; and adding armed on-duty or off-duty law enforcement, private security, and volunteer teams for additional security.

The guidelines were backed by the Jewish Federations of North America and the Anti-Defamation League.

US Jewish security groups have repeatedly shared similar guidelines following threats and attacks against American Jews in recent years, as US Jewish institutions have increasingly tightened their security due to the dangers.