Eric Adams Condemns Sydney Antisemitic Attack, Warns Against ‘Globalizing the Intifada’
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has strongly condemned a recent antisemitic terror attack in Sydney, Australia, describing it as a dangerous example of what he called the real-world consequences of calls to “globalize the Intifada.”
Speaking in the aftermath of the attack, which occurred as Jews were celebrating Hanukkah, Adams said the incident demonstrated how rhetoric can translate into violence.
“What we witnessed in Australia was the real-world application of that call to violence,” he said.
The mayor stressed that language carries serious consequences, urging people to be mindful of the words they use and promote. “Words have meaning. Words have impact and words have power,” Adams said. “Everyone needs to understand what words mean before they repeat them, before they shout them, before they defend them.”
Adams noted that the attacker in Sydney deliberately targeted the Jewish community. “That attack in Sydney is exactly what it means to globalize Intifada. We saw the actual application of the globalization of Intifada in Sydney because the attacker knew who he was targeting and he knew why — a rabbi, a Holocaust survivor killed for being Jewish,” he said.
Reaffirming New York City’s stance against hate, the mayor declared that antisemitism would not be tolerated. “Antisemitism has no place in our city, in our society,” Adams said, as he expressed solidarity with Jewish communities in Australia and around the world.
Reflecting on the significance of Hanukkah, Adams drew inspiration from Jewish history, referencing the Maccabees. “Tonight, as Jewish New Yorkers celebrate Hanukkah, we honor another family of fighters, the Maccabees, who fought for the freedom of Jewish people and they won,” he said. “They did not waver in the face of struggle. They did not lose hope. They did not lose faith. And so they did not lose. And we will not lose.”
Despite recent global tragedies, Adams encouraged resilience and hope. “This evening, we will celebrate the first night of the miracle of Hanukkah, no matter the tragedies we have experienced as a city, as a country, and as a globe in the last 24 hours,” he said, adding, “Even in moments of darkness, there will always be a light.”
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