Security was heightened in major cities across Europe and the United States on Sunday as Jewish communities marked the start of Hanukkah, following a deadly attack on a holiday gathering

at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Authorities in Berlin, London, New York and Warsaw said additional police and armed security were being deployed around synagogues and public Hanukkah events amid fears of copycat attacks and heightened tensions.

In Berlin, police said they were strengthening already extensive security measures at the Brandenburg Gate, where a large electric menorah is to be lit for the first night of Hanukkah. A police spokesperson said the plans had been in place for some time but would be further intensified in response to the Sydney shooting, with a strong police presence maintained throughout the event.

The Berlin ceremony will also include a prayer for the victims of the Bondi Beach attack, which Australian officials have described as a targeted antisemitic assault that left at least 11 people dead.

Germany routinely provides heavy protection for Jewish institutions, reflecting its post-war policy of special responsibility toward Jews and Israel because of the Holocaust. Police said security at synagogues and other Jewish sites would be increased throughout the Hanukkah period.

In New York, Mayor Eric Adams said extra protection was being deployed at synagogues and public menorah lightings across the city. “We will continue to ensure the Jewish community can celebrate the holiday in safety,” Adams said, adding that the city stood united against hatred and in prayer for those injured in Sydney.

In Warsaw, armed security at the city’s main synagogue was doubled ahead of Sunday evening’s Hanukkah event.

London’s Metropolitan Police also announced an increased police presence, including additional patrols and engagement with the Jewish community. While there was no intelligence suggesting a direct link between the Sydney attack and threats in London, police said the measures were precautionary.

France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez instructed local authorities to reinforce security at Jewish places of worship from Dec. 14 to 22. His office said security forces would be deployed with particular vigilance at religious services and large public gatherings.

The stepped-up measures underscore growing concerns among governments about the safety of Jewish communities worldwide following the attack in Australia. Photo by Dov Harrington, Wikimedia commons.