Shirley Manson Condemns Antisemitic Violence at Sydney Show Following Bondi Beach Mass Shooting
Shirley Manson addressed themes of intolerance and unity during Garbage’s concert at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday night, just hours after a deadly antisemitic attack at a Hanukkah celebration in the Bondi Beach area left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured.
Australian authorities confirmed that two gunmen opened fire during the event, which had drawn more than a thousand people celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. One suspect was killed at the scene, while the other remains in custody in critical condition following a shootout with police. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as an “act of evil antisemitism.”
Taking the stage later that evening, Manson addressed the tragedy directly, speaking to the crowd about the growing climate of violence and division worldwide. “This has become an astoundingly frightening, violent, hateful, intolerant world,” she said. “And I think the only thing we can do really, as people who do not believe in all this separation and all this intolerance, is try and profess our love for one another.”
Manson went on to reaffirm Garbage’s long-standing message of inclusivity and solidarity. “We have been a band that have always believed that we are one people under one sun,” she told the audience. “It doesn’t matter what god you worship, or the color of your skin, or what your gender is, or what your sexual orientation is. It’s all so f*cking stupid.” She also criticized political leaders who, in her words, encourage division and hatred rather than compassion.
Details emerging from the Bondi Beach attack highlighted moments of bravery amid the chaos. Video from the scene showed an unarmed civilian wrestling with one of the gunmen and briefly disarming him. The civilian was shot during the struggle and later transported to a hospital. Authorities said the assailant was able to rejoin the second gunman before both engaged in a firefight with police.
Following the concert, Garbage also issued a statement on Instagram condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with the Jewish community. The band revealed that six of their family members had been at Bondi Beach just hours before the shooting occurred.
“What kind of world we’re living in right now?” the band wrote. “Innocent people were targeted while celebrating life and faith. This should never happen to anyone, anywhere. My heart is with the Jewish community in Bondi, with the victims, the injured, and the families whose lives are forever changed.”
In the caption accompanying the post, Garbage expanded on that message, writing, “Our hearts go out to the victims and their surviving families who are now dealing with unfathomable loss and heartbreak. We love you so much, Sydney. F*ck all this vile antisemitism. F*ck Islamophobia. The killing has to stop.”
The band’s remarks were met with sustained applause inside the Sydney Opera House, as the city continues to mourn one of the deadliest acts of antisemitic violence in its history.
