After Bondi Beach terror attack, public Hanukkah lightings set to go ahead in UK, France, South Africa

Public Hanukkah candle-lightings in most Jewish communities will go ahead as planned, despite increased fears in the wake of the terror attack at a Hanukkah party at Bondi Beach near Sydney, in which at least 11 people were killed.

All events in France will proceed as scheduled with additional security by police, Yonathan Arfi, president of the CRIF, which represents Jewish institutions in France, tells The Times of Israel.

In the UK, all events will go ahead as scheduled, with the understanding that things could change if necessary, says The Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Hanukkah events in South Africa will likewise proceed with additional security, a representative of that community says.

Chabad events around the world will continue as planned, a spokesman for the movement says.

“It’s moments like these that we need more light, more energy, more confidence,” the spokesman says. “We need to stand strong and tall. That’s the call to action that Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the Chabad rabbi murdered in today’s attack, lived by.”