Vigil in London pays tribute to Bondi attack victims

Nearly 100 people gathered at a memorial service outside Australia House in London to remember the victims of the terror attack on Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

At least 16 people, including a British-born rabbi, were killed and 38 injured when two “terrorist” gunmen targeted a Jewish celebration in Bondi on Sunday.

Yisroel Lew, a rabbi at Chabad of Bloomsbury and Marylebone, spoke at a meeting organized by Stop the Hate UK on Sunday night.

“Just a little bit of light, a little goodness, can ward off a long darkness, and that has always been the Jewish response, that is our response,” Rabbi Lew said.

“The first thought that came to my mind after hearing about what happened this morning was: How can we get more light, how can we bring more light into the world, how can we have more Hanukkah events?

“Go to Hanukkah events, don’t be afraid, and celebrate Hanukkah.”

He told attendees that he was a childhood friend of British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was among those killed in the attack.

“He was truly a picture of kindness, warmth, service and helping others,” Rabbi Lew said.

He then lit a menorah and participants prayed to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.

Fiyaz Mughal, founder of the charity Muslims Against Antisemitism, told attendees he was “honored” to stand with the Jewish community.

“I wanted to come and speak to you in solidarity because the threats against you continue to grow and it is important that people like me make it clear that Islamist extremism, the hatred of small but deep-seated segments of my communities against you, must be challenged.

“The feeling of intimidation you have to go through is terrifying.”

Attendees at the vigil cheered for a “hero” who was filmed tackling a gunman and retrieving his gun during the attack.

Mughal said: “Ahmed al Ahmed, a member of the Muslim community, risked his life.”