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Judge Yaron Levi noted in the verdict that “the defendant’s harm to the protected values is fatal. In the midst of the ‘Swords of Iron’ war, when the Israeli home front was attacked from seven different fronts, the defendant exploited the permit of stay, which he legally held, in order to harm the heart of the civilian population. Once he decided in his heart to murder a Jew and gain the status of a martyr – and this in order to clear his name as a spy in the service of the General Security Service – the defendant purchased a knife and began to patrol the vicinity of his residence. On the day of the murder, the defendant noticed a vulnerable woman,

an elderly woman about 83 years old, and decided to kill her. The defendant lunged at the deceased and brutally stabbed her 11 times, until he was shot. Indeed, the defendant’s actions embody, in all their severity, the cruelty and purposes of terror, such that beyond the abhorrent murder, a message is conveyed to the entire civilian population – a message that no person or place is protected under Israeli sovereignty.”

In its sentencing arguments, the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office, through Adv. Hadas Forer Gafni, requested a life sentence for Shallhoub and stated that this was a severe and murderous attack. She also noted the fact that “the horrific murder was carried out during wartime, when everyone’s nerves are very frayed, public fears are at their peak, the country is under attack from all directions and fighting for its life. Such a murder in the heart of Herzliya is several times more severe.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

“My wife Sara and I send our deepest condolences to the families of those who were murdered in the combined terror attack in the North: 17-year-old Aviv Maor, of blessed memory, and 68-year-old Shimshon Mordechai, of blessed memory.

We wish the wounded a speedy recovery and support the heroic citizen who neutralized the terrorist.

While there have been many successful counter-terrorism operations over the past year, we unfortunately experience murderous attacks from time to time.

The Government of Israel will continue to act to thwart anyone who seeks to harm its 

Jerusalem, 26 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — A combined terrorist attack was carried out in northern Israel today.

According to initial police estimates, the assailant, an Arab from the city of Qabatiya in Judea and Samaria, intentionally ran over and fatally injured with his vehicle a 68-year-old man in Beit She’an. He then fled the scene and stabbed a 19-year-old woman outside Kibbutz Ein Harod, who was also lifeless when she was found.

The terrorist was shot by a passing civilian near Maanot Junction in Afula and taken to an Israeli hospital, where he is being treated. His condition is described as moderate.

(This is a developing story)

Jerusalem, 25 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — IDF (Israel Defense Forces) reported that last night four members of a terrorist cell that was planning to carry out an attack were arrested by soldiers from its Duvdevan (Cherry) anti-terror special forces unit. The four were captured in the area of Kfar Jayus, a town located just to the east of the Israeli city Kfar Saba.

The arrests came as part of an anti-terror operation conducted in several villages in Samaria.

In addition, Paratrooper Brigade fighters operated in the villages of Kifl Haret and Deir Istiya and arrested three terrorists who threw stones at a central road.

The wanted individuals who were arrested were transferred to the Shin Bet (Israel’s anti-terror General Security Service) for further investigation.

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

President Isaac Herzog today (Sunday, December 21, 2025) delivered remarks at a ceremony to mark one week since the deadly terror attack in Sydney, Australia. The ceremony, which was held at the National Institutions Building in Jerusalem, was also attended by the Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, Mr. Yaakov Hagoel, officials of the Australian Embassy in Israel, and members of the bereaved families.

Remarks by President Herzog:

“Beloved sisters and brothers in Australia, shalom to all of you from Jerusalem, our eternal capital.

We know that each year, the Australian Jewish community is among the first in the world to welcome Chanukah. It is among the first to light candles and celebrate the miracles of the Jewish people.

Tragically this year, instead of lighting the first candle, our sisters and brothers ran for cover. Instead of singing ‘Maoz Tzur,’ our families searched for shelter. Instead of ‘Shehecheyanu,’ there was Kaddish.

Tonight, on the 8th and final candle of Chanukah, I want to say to the Jews of Australia: the people of Israel are with you. Despite thousands of miles between us, we feel your pain, we see your courage under fire, we share your sense of abandonment, shock, and horror.

Here in Jerusalem, we heard your hearts break, and felt our own hearts steeped with grief. We send our sincerest condolences to all those grieving their loved ones, and our warmest wishes for the speedy recovery of all those wounded.

Friends, I have witnessed the resilience and depth of Australian Jewry. I hope to be able to visit you all soon in Australia and bring you a message of love from the State of Israel, to hug you and console you on behalf of the nation and people of Israel. I know I will encounter great strength, warmth, and love of Israel from all of you.

The rise in Jew-hatred across the world is a global emergency. The battle against antisemitism must be everyone’s battle against antisemitism. This is an urgent call to action to prevent the next catastrophe. We will not stand for this.

In each nation, combatting antisemitism requires very strong and tough measures, and strong leadership. It requires ordinary people rejecting lies and bias, embracing diversity, humanity, and truth.

The Australian heroes who intervened and came to the rescue at Bondi, who came to pay their respects, will forever be remembered for their kindness. 

We will not allow the hatred to break us. We will not allow terror to diminish our light, our unity, our peoplehood, our mutual responsibility, our eternity.

Together we will defeat this darkness. By lighting, now, 15 memorial candles to memorialize those we lost. By lighting one more Chanukah candle, tonight, all over the world. By calling out, loud and clear: long live the Jewish people eternally, Am Yisrael Chai.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning (Wednesday, 17 December 2025), spoke with the Chabad emissary and head of the Rabbinical Court in Sydney, Australia, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman – father-in-law of the late Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was murdered in the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach – and with the Chairman of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Adv. arsen ostrovsky, who was wounded in the attack and has been released from the hospital.

On behalf of his wife and the entire people of Israel, the Prime Minister shared in the grief of Rabbi Ulman and the families of all those murdered, and wished a full recovery to the wounded.

The Prime Minister said that these criminal acts are a result of the antisemitism running rampant in the face of the lax policies of the local authorities and the Australian government, which is obligated to act immediately with all available tools to eradicate terrorism and restore security to the Jewish communities.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the State of Israel stands by the Jewish community in Australia. He expressed his solidarity with the Chabad emissaries and the Jews of Australia, who stand firm and hold fast to great faith and a formidable spirit against those who seek to harm us.

On the evening of December 14, during a Chanukah event in Sydney, a horrific terrorist attack unfolded in Bondi, one of Sydney’s most iconic and heavily frequented areas. According to the authorities, the latest reports indicate that twelve people were brutally murdered, at least 29 were transported to hospital and up to 60 people injured. The attack has sent shockwaves throughout the jewish community leaving the community devasted. Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs stated that it is closely engaged with the situation and is providing support to the Jewish community in Australia.

In a statement on twitter, Minister Amichai Chikli said, “Over the past hour, I have held a series of conversations with leaders of the Jewish community in Australia, following the most severe and devastating terrorist attack ever carried out against the Jewish community in the country. Dozens were harmed — both killed and wounded.
On behalf of the State of Israel, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those murdered and wish a full and speedy recovery to the many injured.
A government that normalized boycotts against Jews solely because they are Jewish, tolerated marches in which the flags of Al-Qaeda, the PLO, and Hamas were openly displayed, and for two years failed to act decisively against serious antisemitic incidents, bears responsibility for the horrific scenes witnessed today.

Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism is fully prepared and has offered its full support and assistance to the Jewish community in Australia during these difficult hours.”

Since October 7th, rather than standing clearly and decisively with the State of Israel—the only democracy in the Middle East and a key defender of the free world against jihadist terrorism—the australian government has pursued a path marked by hesitation, restraint, and appeasement.

Data and analysis held by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs indicate that Australia is experiencing one of the sharpest increases in antisemitic activity among Western countries since October 7. Repeated warnings and efforts to engage with authorities have been ignored, as the government continues to appease extremist elements driven by antisemitism, hostility toward Israel, and the denial of the Jewish people’s right to exist.

The ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism will continue to act with full determination against antisemitism in Australia and around the world. We share in the grief of the families. May the memory of the victims be a blessing, and we wish a full recovery to the wounded. The state of israel stands and will continue to stand with you. The Jewish community in Australia will continue to strengthen despite the efforts of those to seek or erase it.

Press Statement | Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism
 
The Murderous Shooting Attack in Australia: The Blood of the Victims Is on the Hands of the Australian Government

The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism condemns with shock and profound grief the murderous shooting attack carried out today in Sydney. This was a brutal act of terror targeting Jews who had gathered to mark the lighting of a Hanukkah candle.

The reality is clear and painful. The blood of the victims is on the hands of the Australian government.

Since October 7, instead of standing firmly and unequivocally alongside the State of Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East and the frontline of the free world against jihadist terrorism, the Australian government has chosen a policy of weakness, restraint, and appeasement.

This reckless policy has direct consequences at home within Australia itself. The Australian government is doing everything in its power to ensure that Australian Jews cannot live safely, peacefully, and securely as Jews in their own country. The result is unmistakable. When Jews gather to celebrate a Jewish holiday and light a candle, they are met with murderous violence and terror.

All reports, research, and data held by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs show that Australia has become one of the Western countries experiencing the sharpest and most alarming rise in antisemitic incidents since October 7. Repeated warnings, appeals, and attempts to engage with the authorities have been met time and again with a wall of indifference, while the government continues a policy of appeasement toward jihadist elements and movements driven by hatred, the destruction of Israel, and the denial of the Jewish people’s very right to exist.

Some mistakenly believe that Jews can be sacrificed, that appeasing jihadists and turning a blind eye to incitement will buy quiet and stability. History teaches the opposite. Appeasing the enemies of Western civilization does not bring safety. It only brings the next catastrophe closer.

The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism will continue to act with full determination against antisemitism in Australia and around the world. The State of Israel will continue to support, train, and strengthen Jewish communities so they can confront threats, incitement, and violence, even when local governments choose to fail in their most basic responsibility of protecting their citizens.

We share in the grief of the families. May the memory of the victims be a blessing, and we wish a full and speedy recovery to the wounded.

To the Jewish community of Australia, we say clearly that you are not alone. Just as you stood with the State of Israel in its darkest moments, the State of Israel stands and will continue to stand with you. The Jewish community in Australia will continue to live, grow, and flourish, despite all attempts by those who seek its destruction.

(Communicated by the president‘s Spokesperson)

President Isaac Herzog spoke this morning (Sunday, 14 December 2025) with David Ossip, President of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, and Rabbi Levi Wolff, the Rabbi of the Central Synagogue in Sydney, following the horrific terror attack targeting a Chanukah event in Sydney.

During the calls, president herzog expressed the profound shock and sorrow felt across Israel in the wake of the attack, which struck the Jewish community as they gathered to mark the first night of Chanukah. He conveyed the heartfelt condolences of the entire Israeli nation to the families of those murdered, prayers for the recovery of the wounded, and solidarity with the Australian Jewish community at this devastating moment.

President Herzog said to David Ossip: “We are utterly shocked and bereaved. The entire nation of Israel feels that its heartbeat has stopped. On behalf of the State of Israel and the people of Israel, please convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and our prayers for the recovery of the wounded. We stand with you, and we are here for you.”

Mr. Ossip briefed the President on the grave situation on the ground, describing the deadly attack at a Chanukah gathering in Sydney, the loss of life including a senior rabbi, and the immediate steps taken to place the community in lockdown amid ongoing security concerns.

President Herzog emphasized his confidence in the leadership of the Australian Jewish community and reiterated Israel’s unwavering support: “We trust your leadership and your strength. You will do whatever is needed to ensure the safety of the community. Please know that the State of Israel stands alongside you.”

Mr. Ossip thanked President Herzog for the call, noting the strength and reassurance drawn from Israel’s solidarity at such a painful time.

President Herzog concluded by urging resilience and unity, saying: “Be strong. We will remain in close contact. Shalom, my friend.”

In his call with Rabbi Levi Wolff, the Rabbi of the Central Synagogue in Sydney, President Herzog conveyed his deepest condolences on the murder of a Chabad Rabbi in the attack.

President Herzog shared words of strength with Rabbi Wolff, affirming that “the Jewish people never give up. We are an eternal people, and the candles will be lit again as of tomorrow, again and again, all over the world.”

Rabbi Wolff responded that, even amidst the terrible pain of this moment, “we have shown over the years that no-one can hold us down, and we will move on stronger.” 

In the wake of the terror attack today (Sunday, 14 December 2025) in Sydney, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar spoke with David Ossip, President of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies.

FM Sa’ar expressed his shock over the deadly shooting in Sydney, Australia, and sought to convey his support to the community during this difficult time.

The President of the Board shared preliminary details of the severe incident with the Minister.