Bondi royal commission to hear challenge to antisemitism definition, quiz UK experts

A royal commission sparked by the Bondi terror attack is this week expected to hear from groups who challenge the commission’s accepted definition of antisemitism, as well as expert witnesses from the United Kingdom.

Dozens of people from the Jewish community last week gave evidence to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, with some sessions closed to the public for security reasons.

Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell flagged the inquiry had received a number of submissions from some Jewish people and others who believed the definition of antisemitism the inquiry adopted could be “weaponised in order to suppress criticism of Israel”. The inquiry has accepted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, which describes a “certain perception of Jews which may be expressed as a hatred towards Jews.”

A second block of hearings has been announced for May 25, with the sessions to focus on the circumstances surrounding the Bondi terror attack. It is expected to examine: The terrorism threat level and security environment in the lead-up to the attack; The conduct of security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies relevant to the attack, including what was known about the shooters and what was done with that information; The security arrangements for the Chanukah by the Sea event; How intelligence is utilised and shared to inform decisions made by security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies; Resourcing for counter-terrorism, and the effectiveness of current powers, systems and processes of security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The commission has received more than 9,600 submissions, with the majority identifying as Jewish.

Hearings will continue this week, with some sessions to start earlier to accommodate the witnesses in overseas time zones. The commission will continue to hear from people with lived experience of antisemitism, with previous witnesses providing examples from within schools, workplaces, sporting organisations and universities.