Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Sunday’s deadly shooting at a Jewish holiday celebration in Sydney and said he had warned his Australian counterpart that the country’s support for Palestinian statehood would fuel ‌antisemitism.

Gunmen ‌opened fire during an event marking the first night of Hanukkah at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing at least 11 people in ‍what Australian officials described as a targeted antisemitic attack. One of the suspected gunmen was also killed.

Netanyahu said the shooting was “cold blooded murder”.

He added that in August he had told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a letter that the Australian government’s policies were promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia.

“I wrote: ‘Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now ⁠stalking your streets’,” Netanyahu said in a speech.

King Charles said he and Queen Camilla are “appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack” that targeted the Jewish community at Bondi Beach on the first day of Hanukkah.

In a message to the people of Australia, he 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.”

Charles also praised emergency responders and members of the public “whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he believes the Australian government has “poured oil on the flames of antisemitism” by remaining silent on rising anti-Jewish sentiment.

Ahead of his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said: “A few months ago, I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of Australia. I said that their policy was pouring oil on the flames of antisemitism and encouraging the hatred of Jews that is raging in the streets of Australia.”

He added: “Antisemitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders remain silent, and they must replace weakness with strength in facing it.”

Sunday’s attack at Bondi Beach occurred during an event marking the first day of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish festival of light, commemorates the Jewish victory over the Greeks more than 2,000 years ago, which allowed them to practise their religion freely.

The festival lasts eight days, beginning on the 25th of Kislev, the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar.

It is celebrated with nightly menorah lightings, playing dreidel, singing songs, and giving children gifts and Hanukkah money called gelt.