Royal Commission Launches Inquiry into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion Following Bondi Attack
By Juliano Oliveira
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has vowed to examine the nature and prevalence of antisemitism following the attack at Bondi Beach and deliver its final report by the first anniversary of the massacre.
In its first hearing held today in Sydney, Commissioner Virginia Bell highlighted that the hearing of the alleged gunman, Naveed Akram, must be done by the Commission “without risking any prejudice.”
“This Commission must do its work without risking any prejudice to that criminal proceeding, leading evidence that this commission from people who may be witnesses in the criminal proceeding would create that risk, and for that reason, it will not occur.”
Commissioner Bell said that she had extended an invitation to the families of the deceased and to others directly affected by the attack to meet with her later this week in less formal surroundings.
One of the Commission’s responsibilities will be to review how Commonwealth, State, and Territory agencies communicated and shared information with each other and with the Hanukkah event organisers. The Commission will also assess the security measures for the event and evaluate whether intelligence and law enforcement agencies operated at their highest capacity.
The Commission will deliver an interim report by April 30, 2026, prioritising urgent actions to address immediate concerns. Throughout the process, it will focus on identifying and implementing measures to counter antisemitism, strengthen law enforcement response, and support social cohesion. The Commission will apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism and accept public submissions until May. The final report is due on the first anniversary of the massacre.
English