Senators Ted Cruz and John Fetterman joined forces on Sean Hannity's show to condemn antisemitism after the Dec. 14 Bondi Beach mass shooting that killed 15 people during Hanukkah celebrations. Both lawmakers criticized the attack, praised those who confronted hatred, and highlighted concerns about rising antisemitic violence. They also found common ground on U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, while Fetterman urged tougher immigrant vetting at the border.
Cruz and Fetterman Unite to Condemn Antisemitism After Bondi Beach Mass Shooting
Police cordon off an area at Bondi Beach after a terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 14, 2025.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) made a rare show of bipartisanship during an interview on Sean Hannity's program, jointly condemning antisemitism and praising those who have spoken out after the Dec. 14 mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia.
Bipartisan Condemnation
Both senators strongly denounced the attack, which occurred as roughly 1,000 people gathered to mark the first night of Hanukkah. Cruz publicly commended Fetterman for calling out antisemitism, noting that Fetterman had done so at personal cost. Fetterman described the incident as a "horrific massacre," saying, "They [Jews] can't even celebrate, you know, one of their holidays without getting gunned down and mowed and targeted."
Sen. Ted Cruz speaks during a roundtable discussion at the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2025 in Washington, DC.
"I just want to commend John Fetterman for the courage he's served… he's shown extraordinary courage calling out antisemitism in his own party," — Sen. Ted Cruz.
What Happened At Bondi
Australian authorities say the shooting left 15 people dead and 42 hospitalized, including two police officers. Reports indicate one of the deceased was a Holocaust survivor. New South Wales police detained two suspects — a 50-year-old father who later died and his 24-year-old son, who remains hospitalized.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack was motivated by "Islamic State ideology." Sen. Cruz condemned what he described as "radical" Islamic terrorism and asserted there was evidence suggesting an ISIS link; his remarks reflected U.S. concern about extremist-inspired violence.
Sen. John Fetterman participates in a debate on June 2, 2025, in Boston.
Heroism and International Reaction
A 43-year-old man, Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim Australian, is credited with disarming one of the attackers. Video of him wrestling the firearm away went viral, and Albanese hailed him as an "Australian hero."
Israeli officials criticized the Australian government for what they called insufficient protection of Jewish communities amid a reported rise in antisemitic incidents. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on X that he had warned Prime Minister Albanese months earlier that certain policies could encourage antisemitism and terrorism.
Wider Policy Discussion
The conversation also turned to foreign and domestic policy. Both senators expressed support for President Donald Trump's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, with Cruz calling the action a critical foreign-policy decision and Fetterman saying he considered the strikes appropriate. On domestic issues, Fetterman criticized former President Joe Biden's border policies and urged tougher vetting for immigrants to ensure alignment with American values.
Takeaway
The interview was notable for its rare cross-party agreement condemning antisemitism and spotlighting the tragic Bondi Beach attack, even as the senators diverged on broader policy debates. The episode underscores how international tragedies can prompt unusual moments of unity in U.S. politics.
