The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion
Interim Report and Public Hearings
"When I come to Bondi, I think about dying." — An eight-year-old child, testimony to the commission
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, established following the December 14, 2024 terror attack at a Hanukkah event in Bondi, has commenced public hearings and released an interim report. The commission has gathered over 9,600 submissions and heard testimony from dozens of individuals regarding their experiences with antisemitism in Australia.
The interim report, published in February 2025, contains 14 recommendations focused on improving counter-terrorism coordination and security for Jewish events.
Establishment and Mandate
Formation and Leadership
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the royal commission in response to the December 14, 2024 attack at Archer Park in Bondi, where 15 people were killed and 40 injured. The attack, which targeted a Jewish community Hanukkah celebration, involved two gunmen. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram has been charged with 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder, along with terrorism offenses.
Former High Court Justice Virginia Bell was appointed to lead the commission. Attorney General Michelle Rowland described Bell as an "eminent and highly capable former Justice of the High Court of Australia." The commission was established via a "letters patent" from the Governor-General, defining social cohesion as the "national consensus in support of democracy, freedom and the rule of law."
Terms of Reference
The commission's mandate includes:
- Examining the nature, prevalence, and key drivers of antisemitism in Australian institutions and society
- Investigating the circumstances of the December 14, 2024 attack at Bondi
- Formulating recommendations for law enforcement, border control, immigration, and security agencies regarding antisemitism
- Recommending strategies to strengthen social cohesion and counter ideologically and religiously motivated extremism
Interim Report and Recommendations
Key Findings
The interim report, released on February 27, 2025, concluded that no gaps in current legal or regulatory frameworks could have prevented the Bondi attack. Commissioner Bell stated that no Commonwealth or state intelligence or law enforcement agency indicated that the legislative framework prevented them from taking prohibitive actions.
The report found that despite overall funding increases for the national intelligence community, the proportion allocated to counter-terrorism declined from 2020 to 2025. The commission warned that hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran in February 2026 likely increased the risk of attacks on the Australian Jewish community.
Published Recommendations
The report includes 14 recommendations, five of which remain confidential. Published recommendations include:
Security and Coordination
- Procedures under Operation Jewish High Holy Days should apply to other high-risk Jewish festivals
- NSW Police should increase security at high-risk Jewish events
- The Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator role should become full-time
- The Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee should provide annual briefings to national cabinet
- Review Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams with focus on information sharing
- National Cabinet members should participate in counter-terrorism exercises within nine months after each federal election
- The counter-terrorism handbook should be updated promptly and every three years
Firearms Reform
- Commonwealth, state, and territory governments should prioritize finalizing an updated and nationally consistent National Firearms Agreement
- Implementation of a proposed National Gun Buyback Scheme
Police Response to Bondi Attack
The Community Security Group (CSG) NSW contacted police on November 28, 2024, regarding the Chanukah by the Sea event, requesting policing measures. A follow-up email on December 8 noted a "HIGH" security level alert for the NSW Jewish community.
The report found that police did not complete a comprehensive written risk assessment for the event. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated a risk assessment was conducted and police were present. The CSG told the commission that police advised they "could not provide static resources," while police said there was no specific request for dedicated resources.
The police response details remain classified due to ongoing criminal proceedings. The commission has not reached conclusions on intelligence failures or police resourcing before the attack.
Government Response
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the Commonwealth would implement all relevant recommendations. The national security committee agreed to adopt all applicable Commonwealth recommendations. NSW Police said it would review the findings but declined further comment due to ongoing investigations.
Public Hearings and Testimonies
Hearing Structure
The commission began public hearings in Sydney, with the first block focusing on defining antisemitism and its impact. Subsequent blocks will examine intelligence and law enforcement agencies, as well as institutions including social media platforms. Some sessions are closed to the public due to national security concerns or ongoing criminal proceedings.
Commissioner Bell noted the inquiry adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition, which describes antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." Bell clarified that criticism of Israeli government policies is not inherently antisemitic. The commission received submissions from some Jewish people and others who believe the definition could be "weaponised in order to suppress criticism of Israel."
Witness Testimonies: Impact on Families and Children
Dina testified that her eight-year-old child cried upon visiting Bondi, saying "when I come to Bondi, I think about dying."
"My children expressed a desire not to be Jewish after being exposed to antisemitic content online, including statements supporting Hitler." — A mother identified as AAP
Natalie Levy, a volunteer with the Jewish Community Security Group NSW, reported that her daughter, one of two Jewish students at a Sydney government school, sees swastikas etched around the school and hears "Heil Hitler" salutes. Levy reported receiving antisemitic slurs on social media.
AAG and AAF, siblings, reported antisemitic incidents at school, including coins thrown at them, slurs, Nazi salutes, swastikas scratched into trees, and a Snapchat group called the Hitler Support Group. They noted teachers often told them to ignore the incidents.
AAT, a Jewish father, said his 13-year-old son was bullied at school with antisemitic slurs, Nazi salutes, and physical abuse. He stated the school offered "worse than zero support" and the vice-principal characterized the behavior as "play fighting." The son now faces similar harassment at a new school, including a student mimicking Hitler's mustache with black tape.
Dean Cherny, a Jewish father, recounted his 10-year-old daughter asking where they could go if neither Israel nor Australia is safe. He reported knowing community members who moved to Israel due to safety concerns.
Sheina Gutnick, daughter of attack victim Reuven Morrison, described antisemitism as changing how she "moves" through the world. She reported online comments suggesting she "should've been killed" and that Jews staged the attack. She recounted an incident at Westfield Bondi Junction where a man called her a "fucking terrorist" after seeing her Star of David necklace.
Witness Testimonies: Workplace and Institutional Discrimination
AAV, a Jewish NSW Health midwife and nurse manager, reported experiencing insults and offensive comments from colleagues after October 7, 2023. Her manager asked her to remove posters calling for the release of Israeli hostages due to concerns they might upset others. Colleagues allegedly made comments such as "shame on you" and "you must be really ashamed to belong to a group of child killers." After two NSW nurses were accused of threatening Israeli patients in a video in February 2025, AAV considered canceling her knee surgery due to fear for her safety. She requested safety precautions including having a family member present during anesthesia, removal of her religion from her health record, and a Jewish doctor during surgery.
Judith Lewis, owner of Lewis' Continental Kitchen, a kosher deli in Bondi, testified about the loss of her business after a fire in October 2024. A man was charged with property damage by fire/explosion. ASIO later stated the Iranian regime was believed behind the incident.
"Use a less obviously Jewish name." — A CEO's advice to an employee, as testified under pseudonym ABM
Michael Gawenda, former editor of The Age, reported that bookstore events for his book "My Life as a Jew in Melbourne" were canceled after October 7, 2023, and he was not invited to major writers' festivals. He also reported losing friendships.
Benjamin F, a Jewish convert and teacher, testified that he feared for his life while marching with the Jewish LGBTQIA+ group Dayenu during Sydney's Mardi Gras parade. The group was targeted by protesters who called them "genocide supporters" and chanted "Free Palestine."
Witness Testimonies: Community Leaders and Experts
Alex Ryvchin, CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, reported his former home was vandalized and he received death threats. He described Australia as resembling the antisemitic Soviet Union his family fled and stated that Jewish families asked when to leave.
Jillian Segal, the government's special envoy to combat antisemitism, stated that antisemitism has become "almost fashionable" among young Australians and that conflating the Israeli government with Jewish people is the fastest-growing form of antisemitism.
Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, provided a written statement detailing antisemitic abuse directed at him via email, social media, and voicemail. He stated that the volume of abuse increased significantly after October 7, 2023, and that publicly Jewish individuals on social media commonly receive abuse from both far-left and far-right sources.
Vic Alhadeff stated that Jewish Australians are unfairly held accountable for Israeli actions.
Stefanie Schwartz, president of Mount Sinai College board, noted psychological effects on her family and antisemitic graffiti at the school, including "Jew dogs." The school has difficulty enrolling students and hiring teachers.
Holocaust survivor Peter Halasz stated he never thought he would again fear wearing a Star of David in public.
Survey Data
A survey by the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, conducted between July 2025 and February 2026 with over 600 respondents, found that:
- 81% of respondents or their relatives had experienced antisemitism since October 7, 2023
- 20% reported experiencing physical violence or verbal abuse
- 69% reported being called genocidal due to self-identifying as Jewish, Israeli, or Zionist
- Over 50% reported hearing claims that the October 7, 2023 attack was justified or did not occur
Commission-Specific Incidents
Protest Incident
On the third day of public hearings, a 68-year-old man identified as Ian Minus was issued a move-on order by NSW Police for wearing a t-shirt bearing a swastika in the colors of the Israeli flag surrounding the Star of David, with the text: "Antisemitism. Proud to be accused. Speak up!" The man was later charged with offensive behavior and displaying a Nazi symbol. Police confirmed they would investigate the display of the symbol under New South Wales laws introduced in 2022.
Related Developments
Resignation of Dennis Richardson
Former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson resigned as special adviser to Commissioner Bell, stating he felt surplus to requirements. He said the interim report would differ from what he would have produced. An intelligence and security review led by Richardson has been integrated into the commission's work, with recommendations expected in April.
Resignation of National Security Adviser
Philippa Brant, Prime Minister Albanese's national security adviser, resigned to pursue a career change. A Labor source stated that Brant's resignation was unrelated to recent terrorist events.
Legislation
Parliament passed legislation establishing a framework for the federal government to ban extremist groups, introducing additional powers for the home affairs minister to cancel visas, and implementing tougher penalties for religious and spiritual leaders who promote violence.
The government had previously committed to adopting recommendations from a July 2024 report by antisemitism commissioner Jillian Segal, which included proposals for monitoring universities and arts organizations and potentially withholding funding if they failed to address antisemitism.
Debate on Inquiry Scope
Labor MP Ed Husic urged the commission to broaden its inquiry to include Islamophobia. Commissioner Bell indicated that antisemitism would be the initial focus, while acknowledging that other religious groups also experience prejudice. Prime Minister Albanese emphasized that "social cohesion is about respect for all of us."
Since October 7, 2023, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry reported a 700% increase in antisemitic incidents. The Islamophobia Register of Australia documented a 619% rise in reported Islamophobia incidents over the same period.