After a weekend of fun with fellow rom-com stars and their fans at Christmas Con 2025 in New Jersey, Australian native Daniel Lissing’s world turned upside down with the news of the shooting in Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14 that killed 15, including a Holocaust survivor, and left many more injured, according to CNN.
Lissing, who stars in the new Hallmark movie “Single on the 25th,” posted an emotional video on December 15 about the attack in his hometown, describing himself as “totally brokenhearted” as he called for greater efforts in Australia and around the world to address anti-semitism.
Daniel Lissing Says His Family Knows Victims Who Are Currently Hospitalized
Lissing, who has held dual citizenship in Australia and the United States since 2020, shared a selfie video to address the tragedy, which authorities have deemed a terrorist attack by a father-son duo, ages 50 and 24, targeting Jews, per the New York Times.
“I grew up there and went to school there, and my Jewish community, on the first day of Hanukkah, was targeted” Lissing said, noting that he didn’t feel enough people were condemning what happened. “The silence out there from all of my friends that post so many things to fight, you know, hate and injustice… the silence, I can hear it loudly.”
Lissing vulnerably shared that he was “so [expletive] angry right now” and blamed the Australian government for doing “nothing to fight anti-semitism” despite, according to the New York Times, a recent uptick in incidents and rhetoric against Jewish Australians.
“My cousin and his two little kids, you know, one-and three-years-old, were there two minutes before the shooting started,” Lissing said. “And we’re connected to people that are in hospital right now.”
“I just want to say thank you so much to all my friends out there that actually wrote me a message,” Lissing continued. “And you know, all the people who know I’m Jewish and from Bondi Beach, I really appreciate it. I just ask you that you say it publicly. If you are with us, if you’re against extremism, if you’re against murder, if you’re against anti-semitism, step up and say it publicly, because we [expletive] need you.”
Fans Rally Around Daniel Lissing After Emotional Post
Many fans and friends left supportive messages for Lissing on his social media post, including one who wrote, “I truly admire your courage in speaking out. I know how vulnerable it can be—especially in the public eye—and your strength and integrity don’t go unnoticed. Thank you for using your voice to stand up to hate. May we all continue to speak up, push back, and spread light.🫶”
Another wrote to the “When Calls The Heart” alum, “I hear you. I support you. I’m here for you. And more importantly THIS. Hate should have NO PLACE here or anywhere. Thank you for speaking your heart and sharing your anger. 👏 Sending you and your family and friends so much love.”
“The silence is loud,” another person commented. “You are correct. Praying for the community and for the safety and protection of our world’s Jewish people. I’m so sorry”
GoFundMe has set up a clearinghouse page for verified fundraisers to help families impacted by the Bondi Beach shooting. A day after the tragedy, 27 victims remained hospitalized, per CNN.
Daniel your words are Powerful and Needed.
I am so Sorry for everyone involved, with the Tragedies over the last 72+ hours has just been Evil and Horrific!
As a Christian who lives & breathes it daily, yet because I am a imperfect sinner, I have been lifting up Prayers and asking for God’s Grace to continue shining a Light into the Darkness, and Help people see the
Pure Evil in these Unspeakable Islamic attacks!
Please find your Humanity and seek God’s Grace🙏🙏
Daniel🥰
Sending love to You, your family and friends and the Entire Jewish Community –
God is with Us.
Daniel, we met at the con this weekend. Again I’m so sorry and angry about the attack on your community in Australia. And I pray that the government will do more to condemn antisemitism and violence against their Jewish citizens.
Michele (at the Hilton).
There is no place in this world for HATE! May God’s peace prevail!
Daniel you are so right, I cannot find the words to describe my horror and anger, did the Holocost not teach us anything? Our government needs to step up, even former polititions are saying the same thing, My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones and to the people with injuries I wish a speedy recovery.
Daniel, I have never had the pleasure of meeting you, but my heart is for the horrific devastation this has done to people. I am a Christian and it tears my heart apart that all people but especially God’s chosen people are still being targeted by such extremists. Every time I listen to the news in the USA I hear of some innocent people being killed. This needs to stop. My prayers are with you and your family and everyone touched in any way in this horrific tragedy
I stand with Israel Daniel, there has been so much antisemitism in my country and now yours, I am so sorry that this happened, I pray for the peace of Jerusalem every day.
Daniel, Know that not all voices are silent!! HATE is a vile word & what that man &
his son food was a disgusting act of of cowardness!! We have the same awful thin happening in our country! It needs to be stopped immedietely!! All Countries should have love, not hate be the rule for everybody!! My heart & prayers go out Australia, our country & any other country having this horrible thing hhappening!
Daniel, didn’t know you were part of the Jewish community! But, weather you are or not, horrible acts like those recently in Australia, should not be tolerated anywhere! Why are our people the target of so much hate? Haven’t we humans learned anything? I am sickened by this, especially at this time of year when people are celebrating! Please continue to use your voice against the silence of those fans of good will. Maybe you’ll encourage more to stand up for what is right!
My heart is broken, too. I am crying just writing this. I love you! I did not you were
Jewish. It makes so angry, even more. No hate no matter what should be tolerated
All humans no matter who they are should be respected.