Police Scotland patrols at Scottish synagogues in wake of Sydney shooting
Police Scotland has said there is no intelligence to suggest a specific threat in Scotland but asked the public to remain vigilant
Police Scotland has confirmed it is carrying out additional patrols around Scots synagogues in the wake of a mass shooting in Australia.
At least 16 people have been killed, including one alleged gunman, and a further 29 are in hospital following an attack by gunmen at Bondi beach in Sydney.
Among the dead is British-born rabbi and father-of-five, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, his family has confirmed.
The 41-year-old’s youngest child was born in October.
Rabbi Zalman Lewis, his first cousin from Brighton, told BBC News that Rabbi Schlanger was “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm outgoing person who loved to help people".
Sydney’s Jewish community was marking the first day of Hanukkah, the festival of light, when the attack broke out.
The New South Wales police commissioner has confirmed the two offenders – a 50-year-old man and 24-year-old man – were father and son.
The father was shot dead by police, while the son is in critical but stable condition in hospital.
Mal Lanyon said police are not looking for a further offender.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson of Police Scotland said officers were already carrying out additional and dedicated patrols around Scots synagogues and other Jewish venues as part of an existing policing plan for the Jewish holiday.
However, he said the force is now in touch with faith leaders and community leaders to address concerns around security in light of the attack.
Mr Johnson said there is no intelligence to suggest a specific threat in Scotland but asked the public to remain vigilant.
He said: “Following the incident, we are actively communicating with faith leaders and community leaders.
"We are also engaging with a wide range of local, national and international partners to ensure our communities are safe.
“I want to take this opportunity to ask the public to remain alert but not alarmed.
“You should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police Scotland.”
The attack happened shortly before 7pm as gunshots were fired at Archer Park, next to Bondi beach, as families celebrated a Jewish festival.
The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the “targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukah, which should be a day of joy … [was] an act of evil antisemitism”.
Police were investigating a possible third gunman, confirming the shooting had been declared a terrorist incident.
It is also understood several improvised explosive devices were found in a nearby vehicle shortly after the attack.
John Swinney wrote on social media: “I am horrified by the events at Bondi beach and send my sympathy and solidarity, and that of the people of Scotland, to those affected.
“This is an appalling incident.”
The First Minister later added that the attack at Bondi beach is “an appalling act against the Jewish community at a precious moment in the Jewish calendar”.
He wrote: “Such acts are despicable at any time but ever more so at this moment.
“I express my sympathy and solidarity to the Jewish community at this time.”
King Charles has said he and Queen Camilla are "appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people".
In a statement, the King said: "Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community.
"In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia - and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival - will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.”
In a post on social media, the Prince and Princess of Wales also sent their "deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives", adding that they "stand with the Jewish community in grief".
Mr Swinney’s remarks were echoed by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who said: “My thoughts are with those affected by the horrific antisemitic attack in Australia.
“We must stand in solidarity with Jewish people against hate.”
Timothy Lovat, chair of the Jewish Council of Scotland, said the community would still mark the festival of Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, despite the terror attack.
He said: “Our hearts go out to the victims of the attack in Sydney and their families.
“It is intolerable that in the current climate of antisemitism Jews cannot gather publicly or celebrate religious festivals in any part of the world without fear of attack.
“The news from Sydney today is also a dreadful reminder of the risks facing our Jewish communities here in Scotland.
“There must be no place for anti-Jewish hate - in any guise - anywhere in Scotland.
“We will not be deterred by antisemitism or acts of terror, and we will celebrate Chanukah throughout Scotland.”
He called the scenes at Bondi "horrendous" and said they will impact all Jewish communities.
A man who survived the October 7 attacks in Israel was injured in the Bondi shooting.
Arsen Ostrovsky, the head of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Sydney office, told Sky News Australia that today’s incident was “an absolute bloodbath”.
Chris Minns, the New South Wales premier, said: “We can’t let these evil people divide Australia up.
“That’s what these terrorists want. They want Australians divided and at each others’ throats.”