Royal Commission Begins Final Hearing Phase on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is commencing its final series of public hearings, the ninth block, after collecting testimony from hundreds of witnesses and over 20,000 submissions. Testifiers have included Holocaust survivors, relatives of victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack and young Jews expressing fear for their future. Sensitive material from intelligence and police chiefs has been kept private due to national-security and ongoing court matters.

Commissioner Virginia Bell has stated she will not seek extra time, targeting a report release before the one-year mark of the Bondi Beach shooting, which left fifteen dead and many injured. Counsel assisting Zelie Heger warned that not every community member could be called to appear, but all submissions will be reviewed. The commission will sit in Sydney until Friday, August 28, with final recommendations due shortly thereafter.