Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli arrived last night (Sunday) for a special visit to the Chabad World Assistance (CWA) Security and Emergency Center in Kfar Chabad. The visit took place en route to Sydney, Australia, against the backdrop of the severe terror attack in which 14 people were murdered, including the local Shliach, Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

From the early morning hours, as reports of the devastating attack began to circulate, the Security Center – which serves as the central address for Shluchim regarding all security matters – has been managing the event and maintaining continuous contact with all relevant authorities.

The Minister began his visit by lighting a Hanukkah candle at the Security Center offices, accompanied by Center Chairman Rabbi Shlomo Peles and Director Rabbi Moshe Fleischman.

Following the candle lighting, the Minister spoke, stating: “We are at the close of a very difficult day in which we have lost 11 lives, among them Shliach Rabbi Eli Schlanger. Absolute evil has chosen the Jewish people as its absolute enemy.

“We saw a reminder of this on October 7th, when pure evil erupted into the communities of the Gaza Envelope and the Nova Festival – murdering women, men, and infants with a barbaric cruelty that the mind cannot comprehend.

“Now, it happens again – this time in Australia, at a Chanukah party – where they are shooting hunting rifles at men, women, and children. But the attempt to extinguish the eternal flame of Israel’s eternity, the People of Israel, and the Torah of Israel will not succeed. I call upon the Shluchim to continue publicizing the miracle of Chanukah everywhere.”

Minister Chikli praised Chabad’s operations: “I am here at the Chabad Security Center, which performs sacred work 24/7 to protect Chabad houses and Jewish communities across the globe.”

The Minister departed last night for Sydney to visit the Jewish communities in the city and the houses of mourning.