Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has released a statement in response to the terrorist attack against Jews celebrating Hannukah in Bondi Beach, Australia. “The attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney today was a vile act of antisemitic terror,” the statement reads. “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.”

Police say that calls for emergency services came at around 6:45pm local time on Sunday, reporting shots fired at Campbell Parade, where hundreds of people had gathered for a Hanukkah celebration. Two men were seen exiting a vehicle and taking aim at the crowd with long guns, killing 11 people and leaving at least 29 others wounded, including two police officers.

One of the two gunmen was fatally shot by law enforcement on the scene, while the second is in critical condition and is in custody. Police report that improvised explosive devices were found in the vehicle believed to be linked to one of the attackers.

In his message on the attack, Mamdani noted the death of Rabbi Eli Schlanger among those killed, acknowledging his “deep ties to Crown Heights.” Born in England, the 40-year-old Schlanger was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi Beach, and had received his rabbinic ordination at the Lubavitch yeshiva in Brooklyn. He is survived by his wife and children, including a 2-month-old baby.

Schlanger was a vocal defender of the Jewish community in the face of growing antisemitism in Australia. During Hanukkah last year, he posted a video with upbeat music of himself dancing cheerfully as he attached a light-up menorah on top of his car, calling it “the best response against antisemitism.” Mamdani acknowledged the anxiety of Jews the world over in the wake of this attack.

“Too many no longer feel safe to be themselves, to express their faith publicly, to worship in their synagogues without armed security stationed outside,” his statement reads. “What happened at Bondi is what many Jewish people fear will happen in their communities too.”

The mayor-elect’s statement also notes the heroics of Ahmed al Ahmed, a local businessman who was spotted sneaking up on and disarming one of the gunmen. Video of his courageous act has been widely circulated on social media. “As men with long guns targeted innocents, another man ran towards the gunfire and disarmed a shooter,” Mamdani said.

“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.”  Reports indicate that al Ahmed was shot twice and is currently hospitalized.

Soon to be the New York’s first Muslim mayor, Mamdani has pledged to ensure the safety of Jews across the city throughout his campaign, a statement that he reiterated on Sunday: ”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.”